Home Remedy
Today’s post is a bit of a departure. It is not focused on food or drink. There’s no stunning roast or plate of pasta. No cooling beverage. No beguiling dessert.
And yet, there is a recipe.
An easy one, too, using four items found in most pantries:
Apple Cider Vinegar,
Honey,
Ginger,
and Cayenne…
plus some water.
And, so quick to put together, so beneficial,
I had to share it with you. Pronto!
Combined, I learned from Maggie, that quartet of pantry ingredients creates a potent remedy to some of the ails of winter: Sore throat, hacking cough, tight congestion.
Combined, they turn into a curious orange syrup that can cut through the croup.
And, the taste is really good!
Like you, we’ve been trying to duck the dreaded cold germs: wash our hands, eat well, get enough sleep, stay warm. Sometimes even the most valiant efforts get foiled.
I first mixed up a batch for Bill over the holidays, when he caught a cold accompanied by a strangling cough. The Remedy went right to work, acting as both a calming agent and expectorant.
So, last month, when I felt run down, tight with a tickle in the throat, I shook up a little Remedy. A spoonful or two seemed to break its hold, suppress the devilish tickle.
Just last night, Bill came home after a long workday. His voice was spent, and he had that dull, woozy feeling you get when the onset of a cold is trying to make its way into your head. He snatched up the little bottle, gave it a vigorous shake, and poured a tablespoonful. “Ahhhh. This is the Good Stuff,” he said.
I’m not saying it’s a cure-all, or some homeopathic miracle drug. But it did a mighty fine job taking the place of store-bought cough suppressants, expectorants, decongestants…
Wouldn’t you rather have a dose of spicy honey-cider syrup from a little jar mixed up in the kitchen than any of those bottles lurking in the medicine cabinet?
I thought so.
Stay warm. Stay healthy.
Take good care. And, if need be, take your remedy.
MAGGIE’S COUGH REMEDY
¼ teaspoon Cayenne
¼ teaspoon Ginger
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)
2 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)
Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee.
Note: This is potent albeit watery syrup. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using.
If you make this in small batches as the recipe is written, there is no need to refrigerate.
If you prefer, you may refrigerate this. It keeps as long as you need it. I like to make small batches (it is so easy to mix up.) and use it up in a just a few days.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: This remedy and dosage are for adults. I have no personal experience giving this to children, and cannot recommend it for children. Many have reported on this site (see comments) that they have had great success administering the remedy in smaller doses to their kids. This is those parents personal choice, which I respect. If the remedy has helped their family, I am grateful. But it is not my recommendation.
Moreover,
Honey should NEVER be given in any form to children under the age of one year, due to the risk of infant botulism–hence the remedy should never, under any circumstances , be given to an infant.
All best wishes for good health and speedy recoveries,
Nancy
Blooming Daffodil, photographed Sunday, February 5, 2012. Beautiful, and the earliest I have ever had this flower bloom in my yard.
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February 7th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I’d far prefer this to anything I’d find in the drugstore. Thanks, Nancy.
February 7th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Your post made me happy.
February 8th, 2012 at 5:10 am
Ooh now looks like just the thing my husband needs at the moment. I love the daffodil!
February 8th, 2012 at 5:20 am
A warm and cozy elixir. Feel better!
February 8th, 2012 at 6:25 am
sure wish I would have had this post 2 weeks ago. I woke up one morning and couldn’t even swallow much less talk. Bet you can imagine how well that went over with my 2 yr old! great remedy- storing this one away
February 8th, 2012 at 6:34 am
You can bet I wrote that down and saved it! Kind of an improved twist on mother’s old honey/lemon/whiskey cough remedy. Thanks, Nancy!
February 8th, 2012 at 7:19 am
bookmarking this one Nancy! We’ve had a relatively mild winter in terms of sickness but this will be good to have on hand.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:33 am
WOW, a home made cough medicine!!!! I will for sure try this for I hate the taste of any of the cough medicines OTC. YUCK!
Oh yes, LOVE the daffodil!!!! Mine have been blooming for a few days also and my snowdrops too. Such a pretty picture you took; just puts a smile on my face!
Thanks,Nancy from Maryville
February 8th, 2012 at 7:41 am
I do not have a scratchy throat, watering eyes or general malaise, but Maggie’s cough syrup sounds good to me. My mother used to concoct a mixture of honey, lemon & bourbon for when we had sore throats! By today’s standards that would be unheard of, but it did the trick. Maggie’s recipe sounds much more kid and adult friendly!
My trees are budding out, grass is green…like your pretty daffodil they are all confused by this warm winter we have had…just like us.
Wonderful post.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:57 am
Nancy, thank you for sharing this with your readers – it is good stuff!!
February 8th, 2012 at 8:56 am
Hi Friends–glad this post is resonating–it’s a great one to stow away when the need arrives. It is reminiscent of the lemon-bourbon-honey trick, but I think the cider vinegar–especially infused with cayenne and ginger—is more powerful. And, there’s no alcohol.
February 8th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Your timing couldn’t be better. While preparing the
garden for those early peas last week the dreaded sniffles, sore throat and stuffy head descended. Thank you, Nancy
February 8th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Bill is a lucky man indeed.
February 8th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Ooo, I’ll try it next time I get a cold. Although I hope it won’t be soon.
February 8th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
love this! i make something similar with lemon juice when i have a cold, but it doesn’t keep very long — using acv is genius! going to make up a jar very soon.
February 8th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Wow! I have been taking apple cider vinegar when I’ve felt under the weather this season. Mixed with water and some honey or maple syrup. Apparently Hippocrates used it!
Good to have this recipe because I never take conventional drugs (as long as I can avoid it!)
February 8th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Oh my you already have daffodil in your yard, that is amazing. And that is great herbal and homemade recipe.
February 9th, 2012 at 2:59 am
This is great! Thank you Nancy.
February 9th, 2012 at 9:33 am
The weather has been both amazing and bizarre this year, hasn’t it? I’m always looking for something that can address the seriously gnarly cough that comes out of nowhere. It addition to being all natural this saves a trip to the drugstore.
February 9th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Cathey-glad I posted it in time. good for you, getting the garden prepped for early peas.
Joyti–I hope none of us needs it!
Nichole–I think that the health benefits of apple cider vinegar are far-reaching. Hippocrates knew!
Christine–I agree: amazing AND bizarre, hence my urge to post the Way-early bloomer from my yard. this kind of whip-stitch weather can lower your resistance to the nasties.
February 9th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Just an update…we’ll be shaking up a batch tonight. Roberto is starting a sore throat and I’m feeling sympathy sickness :)
February 9th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
uh-oh! hopefully the remedy will help knock it down fast!
February 9th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
This sounds amazing. I just pinned it to try soon! Thank you so much.
February 10th, 2012 at 7:19 am
I’ve never seen a recipe like this posted before, but it’s such a great idea. Thanks for posting! (And I hope I don’t need it.)
February 10th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
What a wonderful post, Nancy! I should make this for my mom and drive it down to her, as her antibiotics haven’t been working!
February 10th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I’m sure the taste beats an OTC remedy, I’m going to try this when I need to! But hopefully not anytime soon.
February 10th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Many times we see recipes shared by our blogger friends and get enthused about making it sometime soon. At the time, we really are excited about the recipe…but not as much as I’m excited about this one Nancy.
Your testimonial about this concoction has me convinced. I’ve had lung weaknesses more times than I care to mention.
I love the combo of ingredients…and better yet…I have all of them in my pantry ;o)
Again, mille grazie!
Ciao and have a wonderful weekend,
Claudia
February 12th, 2012 at 9:08 am
This is brilliant, Nancy! Once it’s mixed, do you keep it in the fridge or at room temp, and about how long will it keep? Thanks for sharing!
February 12th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Faith, We’ve kept it at room temp. There’s nothing in it to spoil–the vinegar keeps it stable. Generally, it’s gotten used up within a week, as it’s been needed. When you start with a small batch–one recipe—you’ll use it up in a couple of days.
February 12th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Thanks for sharing! I’ve never gotten around to using one with cayenne, despite hearing of its benefits.
Just gave it a shot now and if nothing else, the simple kick it gives you is enough to be worth making a batch!
February 13th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Thanks for sharing — I recently recovered from a long and painful cold & cough. This remedy is similar to what I had, and I can tell you it worked wonders :)
February 14th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Nancy, thank you so much for this recipe, I sure will save it for when is needed…I much prefer home remedies.
Have a great week :)
June 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
I made something similar when I was sick recently. I used an onion, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, and carrot juice. It was so smelly and so hard to keep it down. I had to make a taste orange chaser to get it down but it was still pretty difficult.
Bottom line- I got better in a few hours!
-Fatemeh ❤s
July 12th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Thanks for the post. Found it via pinterest. Great timing as my family is sick right now. Have you used it with kids before? Would you recommend it for them? (I have a 3 yr old and 1 year old).
July 12th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Hi Meagan–I have never used it with kids, and so cannot recommend. there is nothing in the list of ingredients that would hurt anyone, adult or child, although a child’s palate might find it harsh. Of course, a child’s dosage would be much smaller. best to you and your family.
July 13th, 2012 at 8:47 am
My boyfriend is allergic to most ingredients in cough syrups; I’m so glad I found something that will help to ease his discomfort when he gets a cold or a tickle! Thank you so much!
July 18th, 2012 at 4:09 am
This is so great! With my two children who occasionally get sore throats, a little cough, I can just whip this up at home and not worry about over-dosing my children with medications that can have so many side effects. Thank you for sharing!!!
July 18th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
So, you only make 4 T. at a time? If I made a small jar’s worth how long would it keep?
July 18th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Hi Carol,
You can certainly make a double or triple batch at a time–I have done that. It should keep fine for a week. I wanted to give you the basic recipe, which might get used up within a couple of days.
July 24th, 2012 at 8:42 am
My mother in law, who we all refer to as “Nuna” always made a similar syrup that actually got rid of my son’s throat nodules when he was a young boy. He was always hoarse so I took him to the doctor’s office. The doctor said he had to just whisper and no chorus in school until his next appointment, then he would schedule him for surgery to remove the nodules. Well, in six weeks, I took him back to the doctor and to his amazement, he could not even find where the nodules were – there weren’t even scar tissues and my son’s voice was back to normal. Now this is a true story.
July 25th, 2012 at 7:01 am
I’ve just made up your recipe for the cough syrup, x3. It seems rather watery – should it be?
July 25th, 2012 at 7:41 am
HI Emmie–yes it is not thick, like a syrup.
July 28th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I have had a miserable cold for the last two days so I just made a batch. In the second it took for my eyes to bug out from how spicy hot it was my nose was already feeling better. It’s been about ten minutes and I am a believer. This is the most relief I’ve had and I didn’t really think it would work. I don’t recommend this for small children, though…really, really hot!
July 28th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Hi Lisa–thanks for sharing your experience. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
July 30th, 2012 at 5:12 am
This is the good stuff! I’ve been making it for years and 4x the recipe. Makes a little over 2 cups and keeps well in one of those funky shaped POM bottles. I also take it with a shot glass. LOL And it is also a pretty good marinade!
July 30th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
I just made a batch and for some reason my pepper didn’t dissolve well. Does the mixture look grainy also
July 30th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Hi Jacquie
I have found that you always need to shake it vigorously in the jar before getting your spoonful. The pepper does tend to separate a little bit. I am wondering if your honey slightly crystallized? (if it is cool/cold)
Make sure all ingredients are fresh.
August 2nd, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Hi
Does this coughh syrup need to be refrigerated, and how long does is last?Where do you store this?
August 2nd, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Thelma, I make it up in small batches, which tend to get used up in a matter of days. I don’t refrigerate the small batch. If you want to make a larger batch, I would refrigerate it. Make sure the container is very clean, with clean, tight cap. There’s really nothing in it that would go bad. Nonetheless, I’d use it within a couple of weeks.
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Can kids take this? Like the ages 2 and 3?
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:43 pm
For those concerned with how well this keeps, if you keep the organic honey in a sealed container it should not spoil. At all. Honey is a natural stabilizer and apple cider vinegar lasts a long time. So I would think that the recipe can last a couple months at least since there is no perishable goods in the mix, since the ginger looked ground.
If the honey crystallizes at the bottom just heat it gently in hot water, let it sit for a bit, then stir.
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Mayra–I really cannot recommend it for young children–it is cayenne and ginger Hot.
Kristin–thank you for your insightful comment. as I have mentioned, there is nothing in this that can spoil. Keep it in a clean sealed jar.
August 3rd, 2012 at 11:06 pm
thank you so much for this i will try it winter time is bronchitis time for me im not looking forward to the bronchitis but i will have a new healthy cough remedy to try and im not looking forward to winter yuck thanks again
August 4th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I’ve been sick with sinus infection all week. I’ve tried everything over the counter, came across this recipe this morning. Just made my first batch and took my first dose. I have to say I already feel better!! Thanks so much!
August 6th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Works great, tastes AWFUL!
August 7th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. I think it will be a great help for all the visiting athletes who are here in England for the Olympics and will probably get English Summer Colds :(
Much kindness.
August 8th, 2012 at 12:52 am
How many tablespoon/teaspoon of each ingredient do you put in to make a small batch?
August 8th, 2012 at 4:57 am
Julie, when you follow the recipe as it is written, that will make enough doses for a couple of days. I would double the recipe, for a small batch. Naturally the recipe triples and quadruples easily–but I would start with doubling. Good luck and good health.
August 10th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
I’ve been making this for years. My sister and oldest daughter ask me to make it when they are ‘under the weather’. I also take it to restore my proper body ph. Ph going wrong (my opinion) is what brings on the illness in the first place. Anyway, it works very well. Thanks for affirming what I already knew. GMTA
August 13th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Another amazing benefit is that if you use local honey regularly, it helps build up immunities to local plant allergens like (pollens and weeds). Just sayin. :)
August 13th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Great point, Amanda—thank you!
August 13th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Hello. I came to your page via a link on Facebook. I was wondering about the shelf life of this mixture, and does it have to be refrigerated? Also, how often does one take it while ill (ie once a day, every few hours, etc.?). If I have chronic congestion, would a spoonful of this daily help as opposed to the decongestant pills? Sorry for so many questions, but I’m really interested in this, but I don’t want to make it if it won’t keep. I don’t get sick very often (I’m lucky), but I do have allergies and chronic congestion and post-nasal drip. Thank you for your time, and for sharing this recipe! =)
August 13th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Hi again. I guess I should have read some of the comments first about shelf life and refrigeration, etc. But I’m still wondering about dosing, and such. Thanks! =)
August 13th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Hi Catherine—regarding dosage, take one tablespoonful as needed for cough, etc. I think one every 4-6 hours would be fine. There’s nothing in this that could hurt you.
I don’t have chronic congestion, so I can’t speak to how it would work–a dose a day—versus decongestant pills. But I bet it would be very helpful and better for you than the pills.
August 13th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
My dad learned about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar when I was a teenager, and would mix up a concoction using it, hot jell-o, and maybe some honey. It’s pretty strong stuff, but it broke up congestion really well. I still make it when I’ve got a cold. I have saved this recipe and will try it when I get a cold this year (because I’m sure I will).
August 14th, 2012 at 5:49 am
My Mom used to make a good cough and sore throat cure with honey a small amount of whiskey and menthol crystal (which you no longer can buy) it really worked. I will surely use your recipe when I get sick.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
are you using powdered Ginger? would the recipe work with grated fresh ginger?
August 14th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
hi Brooke–yes, I use powdered ginger in this recipe–it’s easier to use, dissolves quicker. but I imagine grated fresh ginger would work very well, too.
August 14th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
i do this as well. add lemon juice and garlic for immune booster to help get over the crud.
August 15th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Hi,
I was just wondering if this is safe for pregnancy and nursing. It’s seems like it but just wanted to make sure! Thanks’n
August 16th, 2012 at 4:11 am
HI Mary, It does seem like it would be perfectly safe for pregnancy—all natural ingredients. The vinegar’s acid in the remedy solution prevents bacterial growth. That said, I don’t know what the prevailing wisdom is about eating honey during pregnancy–I think it is fine, but I would check with my doctor or midwife.
August 17th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for this home remedy. I hate cold meds and I’ve had this annoying cough for several days. I already made some and took a dose. I think it’s helping….YAY!!!
August 18th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
[...] written today. But I’m sick today, and I just want to lay around, drinking spoonfuls of firewater and listening to [...]
August 19th, 2012 at 11:47 am
[...] Cough Elixer [...]
August 19th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Am going to try it now!!!!
Thank you, thank you.
Gabi
August 20th, 2012 at 6:45 am
I’m using this as a natural remedy to get over my cold, do you mind if I share it on my blog with a link back to yours? Its working so well!
August 20th, 2012 at 7:31 am
Hi Molly-I am happy that this home remedy is working so well for you–Please share this (with a link back) on your blog. Nancy
August 20th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Thanks!!
August 20th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Does this mixture have to be refrigerated and if not will it go bad?
August 20th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Sharon, as the recipe stands, it does not need to be refrigerated–honey, vinegar, powdered ginger and cayenne are all shelf stable, and that really doesn’t change after they are all mixed together. wishing you good health!
August 20th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Just made some and I can’t wait to try it. I wish you had the measurements to make more then what seems to me, a tiny bit at a time…
August 22nd, 2012 at 7:31 am
I just made this for my family since the kids have a cough and aren’t feeling well. I am pregnant and have that getting sick feeling so I wanted to stop this ASAP. I took 1 T. and gave my kids 1 t. My kids are 4, 6, and 8. I just put it in a medicine cup and told them to drink it FAST and then had some peppermint tea or water for them to drink after it.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:29 pm
A friend sent this to me and I can’t wait to try. I’ve recently had my tonsils taken out and am trying to recover from that with a horribly irritating tickle that keeps me up at night. Thank you so much for posting.
August 22nd, 2012 at 10:31 pm
I totally love home remedy methods! My dad even got me a book on all different at home remedies which come in handy. It’s really neat. I’d love to try this out, but I was wondering is there something I could substitute for ginger? I found out the hard way that I’m allergic to it.
August 23rd, 2012 at 7:29 am
My grandfather used to make a similar cough syrup. he came from Scotland and this was many years ago.
I wish I knew what the measurements were, but it was cider vinegar, molasses, a cut up onion and he used to boil it. Not sure if there was anything else in it, it broke the congestion up right away. If anyone has heard of this please reply.
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:17 pm
[...] my voice from this damn cold that I’ve been successfully fighting. Maybe it’s all that firewater that I’ve been taking that *has* so successfully helped my body fight this [...]
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Michelle–I don’t really know an adequate substitute for the ginger. It wouldn’t hurt you to try the recipe without it. The combination of honey-cider vinegar-cayenne is potent.
I have heard that turmeric dissolved in warm water with lemon is beneficial against congestion–but I will have to find out more about it.
August 24th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Just found this on pinterest, love that site. I am so going to make this now, feel a cold coming on.
Warning: Would not give this to my husband though. He is allergic to bees and recently tried a small spoon of local honey for his seasonal allergies and had a reaction – shallow breathing, heart racing. Fortunately he is OK. I guess because honey is produced by bees he is also allergic to that. Just a warning for others.
But for us “normal” people,LOL, I would so give this a try. Thanks!
August 25th, 2012 at 1:47 am
Well. I didn’t have everything, but I gave it my best shot – Substituted fresh lemon for the Apple Cider Vinegar (probably the most important ingredient) & substituted cinnamon for the ginger – I only have fresh right now, and I can’t process it b/c its 2am. So with husband coughing super hard, I gave it one last home remedy shot. This was in addition to the epsom salt, peroxide, baking soda, ginger bath and the eucaliptus, lemon, garlic, and ginger steam. I think if this doesn’t help, i’ll just go buy a coffin. :( Poor man!
August 25th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Came across this post just in time as my husband and I are both coming down with end-of-summer colds. Just had a T. and am looking forward to not getting sicker!
August 26th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
I have had a sore throat and a cough for 2 days now and remembered I had reposted this so that I would have it for later. I just made up a a batch and I can already feel my cough breaking up. The OTC things have never really worked for me so I’m glad that you posted this. Thanks!
August 26th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
I found this on Pintrest as I was recovering on the sofa from a bad cold/sore throat. I didn’t have the ginger and didn’t feel up to going to the store to get some but I’m a true believer! I gritted my teeth and prepared for a really bad taste as it went down but it was actually much more pleasant than I thought it might be. Certainly WAY better than store bought cough syrup and much better for you.
Thank you for sharing this! I’m feeling much better already!
August 26th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Sarah I’m so sorry! Hope he improves soon
Meaghan Anna and Nikki– I’m so glad that “the remedy” has brought you relief
best wishes to all of you! Nancy
August 26th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
My 18month old daughter gets a croupy cough every once in a while and there are no over the counter medicines that I’m comfortable giving her. I just tried this with her (seriously like 10 minutes ago) because she’d been coughing/hacking for 20 minutes with no relief. I only gave her 1/4 teaspoon, and administered it with a syringe like we would Tylenol. She’s always been good with spice (was eating Tandoori chicken at 10 months). I haven’t heard a peep from her since giving it to her.
Other moms of young kids should seriously consider their kids’ tolerance for spice and use appropriate dosage, but these are the same ingredients we use to make our pulled pork, just in a higher concentration.
Super pumped at finding a home remedy!
August 26th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Hi Experimenting! Thank you for sharing this information about your success with your 18 month old AND the dosage size you administered. I had been leery of recommending it for the wee ones as I have only used it for adults. My best to you and your daughter.
August 27th, 2012 at 5:52 am
Found this recipe on pinterest and made it last night. I have a terrible cough and sore throat. It started working immediately and gave great relief but it only lasted about a half an hour :( I ended up taking OTC medication in the middle of the night and that hardly worked at all! So I guess some relief is better than nothing and there’s nothing harmful in it so I like that!
August 27th, 2012 at 11:44 am
I only have fresh ginger root, can I use that? If so how much should i use? Im ready to try this right now!! Yay cold and flu time!!
August 27th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Tiffany, you may use fresh ginger root. Powdered ginger, I have read, is 8 times more potent than fresh ginger root. So, based on this recipe, you would need 2 Tablespoons of fresh ginger.
good luck and be well.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
I have suffered from allergies for forty years and have bronchitis usually twice a year. if this works, I will be so very grateful. Thank you for sharing.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Soo I thought I would try this because it wasn’t cold meds from the store. It was HOT, which then made my nose run, when it didn’t before hand. Didn’t really do anything for my cough at all. Sorry just didn’t do what I thought it would do. Seems to have also chapped my lips. UGH! Not fun. Oh well it was worth a try. Thanks for sharing tho.
August 27th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
My husband has been hacking all day and evening. I thought I might try this but don’t have any of the pepper. What would you suggest for a substitution?
August 27th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
“Hoo-wee!” lollllllll! This is great. I’m allergic to most decongestants, so my grandma used to make her own cough syrup for me out of whiskey and peppermint. It is FOUL. This looks like a much better option! thanks for sharing!
August 27th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
I am wondering if there is something you can do in place of the Cayenne? I had cancer treatment and can’t do anything with spicy in it anymore or it seriously burns my tongue and I have to down a whole bunch of dairy products to save it. Can you think of anything that I can put in place of the Cayenne that would still work well? Also acidic burns, but I can tolerate that much more than spicy. Would like to start finding homemade vs storebought remedies.
August 28th, 2012 at 5:00 am
HI Bethany and Charmaine—I’m afraid that I can’t tell you a suitable substitute for cayenne. It has important properties to clear mucus and relieve congestion. It is antimicrobial, aiding sinus infections. Bethany, I wouldn’t want you to use something that would cause you further discomfort.
August 28th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Thanks for this recipe and a way to not use OTC’s. Interesting thing about this, after all my readings about RA and Fibro, these ingredients are some of the natural ones to help with joint pain as well. I will be sure to keep this elixar handy !!!!
August 28th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
I’m going to definitely use this however, im going to juice some fresh ginger and omit the water and see how that works.
August 29th, 2012 at 6:23 am
[...] Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe #5 Apple Cider Vinegar Sore Throat Syrup via NancyVienneau.com [...]
August 29th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Used this today as my son woke up with a cough. The other boys had to try it as well. They love it! Even though it has a kick and they rarely like spicy, they like this for some reason.
August 29th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
My husband and I are using it now for a late summer cold. It certainly opens up nasal passages.
August 29th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
i tried this tonight for my 13month old because i HATE giving him meds he doesn’t need but hearing him hacking kills my soul!! I tried it first and other than the kick it had from the cayenne i thought it was good and it took away the tickle i had in my throat… that being said my little man was not happy about taking it but after a sippy of milk and some popcorn he was fine it was about the same reaction as taking any meds and an hour later i’ve not heard him cough so fingers crossed we will have a peaceful nights sleep!!
August 30th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
To Bethany – can you put this mixture in a clean, needleless syringe from the drug store, and administer it by placing the syringe on the inside of your cheek near your throat, bypassing your tongue?
August 30th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
What is the shelf life for the mixture? Is this to be put in refriderator or counter?
August 30th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Nancy E.—With honey, cayenne, powdered ginger, and cider vinegar, there is nothing in it that will spoil. I make up a batch as needed, and I keep it on the counter, ready to use. No refrigeration needed. I’m sure that you will use up a small batch in a matter of days during an illness. Be well, Nancy
August 31st, 2012 at 2:48 am
I’ve been using a similar ‘remedy’ for colds, flu etc for more than 10 years. My sister and kids always come tell me to mix them some when they start seeing signs of cold, congestion,sore throat and flu. It helps get the stuff under control within a couple days usually. My recipe didn’t include the ginger, but I am sure, given that it helps calm stomach issues and nausea would add to the benefits of the syrup, it will be a good add to mine. Probably make it more palatable too. I use the honey, cayenne and water in equal amounts, so it can have a real bite to it. Ginger might smooth it out.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:50 am
Oh silly me. I tell the family to take it in a small shot glass 2 or 3 times a day. It does keep on the counter top nicely, but I often refrigerate it and it keeps pretty much forever that way.
August 31st, 2012 at 10:17 am
do you have to add the cayenne it cause my throat to swell?
August 31st, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Kathy–you don’t have to add the cayenne, but I cannot promise that you’ll get the best results–a property of the pepper is its power to cleanse, open up sinus passages. Of course, you wouldn’t want to use it if you experience swelling in your throat.
August 31st, 2012 at 5:35 pm
35 years ago my mother would make a variation of this. no vinegar, but she would use slippery elm, cayenne, garlic and if i was lucky, honey and lemon. and my 10 year old self fought it tooth and nail. i don’t remember if it worked because i hated it so much. but i’m sure it worked. and she still makes it, only we’ve all talked her out of the slippery elm…it was the most disgusting element.
September 1st, 2012 at 11:06 am
Im allergic to vinegar. Is there a substitute for it that someone could suggest that’ll work in its place???
September 1st, 2012 at 11:11 am
Hi, I am out of cayenne at the moment, can I use red pepper instead? Thanks for the post :)
September 1st, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Michele S–I would make it with fresh lemon juice. It will not have the same shelf life–you’ll need to refrigerate it and use within a week.
LaDonna–be sure to grind the red pepper very fine (if it is red pepper flakes)
September 2nd, 2012 at 1:33 pm
thanks so much for the cold remedy!I will definently be trying this for my family:)
September 2nd, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Pinned this and then needed it a few hours later! I just had to tell you that since I started taking it my pregnancy heartburn is GONE! I know ACV, honey, and ginger are all good for the stomach, so I’m gonna do some experimenting and see if it continues working without the cayenne. Thanks!!!
September 2nd, 2012 at 7:49 pm
I think I will give this a try. I will swear by the honey, lemon and whiskey. I used it as a child and gave it to my children and grandchildren. Maybe this one will work just as good. Thanks for the recipe.
September 2nd, 2012 at 8:41 pm
[...] recipe comes from the blog, Good Food Matters. Since I have no expertise in this area, I didn’t stray from the recipe except to make a [...]
September 3rd, 2012 at 6:08 am
[...] Homemade Cough Syrup from Good Food Matters [...]
September 3rd, 2012 at 12:58 pm
I made this for my little brother and it worked wonders! He has been moaning all day and do I made him this and hot tea and then he drank it and the hot tea and it made his sore throat AND stuffy nose go away! It was so easy to make and I’m only thirteen!
September 3rd, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Amazing stuff! Found this on Pinterest. Gave it to my toddlers who caught the back to school crud. Two doses, 8hrs apart, barely a cough in that time, noses stopped running too. Strong smell, tastes okay, works!! We will be keeping this one for our home remedu cuboard!
September 3rd, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Well, we had everything but cayenne, but figured that was an important ingredient, so we substituted hot sauce/tabasco. Hoping it works. Definitely was hot and spicy going down! My husband loved it! If it works I will be forever grateful cause I have been suffering for 2 weeks now and nothing is working! And my hubby has a scratchy throat too. I dont even know anymore if it is a cold or allergy symptoms or both. Very aggravating! I’ll keep you posted with results!
September 4th, 2012 at 12:00 am
For sore throats, using essential oils: 2 drops sage 2 drops rosemary 2 drops thyme rub on neck. My family will only let me use it on them at night, but seriously, immediate results. No more sore throat!
September 4th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
[...] I found this at nancyvienneau.com [...]
September 5th, 2012 at 1:42 am
Add cocoa to this, and it will suppress even the worst coughs. Cocoa contains theobromine, which actually works directly on the vagus nerve to suppress the urge to cough, without suppressing the ABILITY to cough. So you can still get gunk out of your lungs, you just have a heck of a lot more control over it.
September 5th, 2012 at 5:01 am
That is such an interesting piece of information about cocoa, Jenrose–I didn’t know this. The remedy could be easily tweaked. Thank you for sharing this!
September 5th, 2012 at 7:28 am
I took this 5 minutes ago. My throat seems to be tickling less and it really didn’t taste bad! Thank you!
September 5th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
I have reflux so I do not eat spicy/hot items. Do you think this would be effective if I cut the cayenne to a very small amount?
September 6th, 2012 at 6:39 am
Bev, I wouldn’t want you to experience reflux discomfort because of this remedy. But I will say that the honey does help coat. I have not tried this with reduced quantity of cayenne, but it might be worth it to you to experiment. Take good care, Nancy
September 6th, 2012 at 8:30 am
Coming down with a cold, mixed this elixer up last night before bed as throat was starting to feel dry & cactus-like (no soreness though). Took 1 Tbs. and was able to sleep through the night except 1 time when I woke up & took a 2nd dose. This stuff tastes like h### but then so does OTC stuff that is filled with who knows what chemicals and doesn’t even work. Nancy, this stuff really worked. I got better results than hoped for! Thank you for posting.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:07 am
Sounds wonderful – thank you for sharing!
September 6th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
I wanted to say that your remedy is a God Send…although I knew some of the home remedies, I would rather stay away from the drug store items Home Remedies are God’s Gift to us and we should and I will do this and I thank you with that said I send you all my Love Light and Joy Your sisSTAR AND A COSMIC MOTHER IN THE FAMILY OF LOVE AND LIGHT LET’S GET STARTED ON PARADISE READY………SET………..GO…..AND A WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH
September 7th, 2012 at 3:28 am
Sorry, I’m from overseas – can you please explain what the abbreviations “t.” and “T.” stand for? Thank you very much!
September 7th, 2012 at 3:53 am
HI Birgit,
small “t.” stands for teaspoon, capital “T” stands for tablespoon.
No apologies necessary! In the future, I shall spell these out to avoid confusion.
September 7th, 2012 at 5:59 am
I want to try this and to add the cocoa suggested in one comment. any suggestion on how much cocoa to add? I will experiment if necessary but if known would rather start with that. thanks for the recipe! so hoping it works. :)
September 7th, 2012 at 9:08 am
thank you! i have bad reactions to the dextramethorphan used in ALL cough remedies on the market. I am going to whip some of your cough medicine up for the winter cough.
September 7th, 2012 at 10:54 am
can i sub fresh ginger? seems like it would be better than dried but i guess it wouldn’t keep as long if i used fresh? what do you think?
September 8th, 2012 at 2:16 am
Hi,
I just saw this remedy at pinterest and wrote it down, for when I need it. Thanks so much.
And what I also find to help, with a runny nose….
grate the peel of a lemon, and squish out the lemon juice. Then add a piece of fresh grated ginger (the size of a thumb or such), and add half a liter water to it. Boil it for 10 minutes. Drain it into a container, so the grated parts are separated from the water.
Then drink it, as hot as possible. You can also add honey to it. For me it worked quite quickly to relief my running nose (don’t know how to say that in English…. maybe you use: the sniffels…. I don’t know).
September 8th, 2012 at 8:07 am
my fathers cough medicine for us when we were little was 4 oz whiskey 4 oz honey and 4oz lemon juice. Mixed up and we were given a teaspoon @ night when we went to bed. Bad? Never hurt me and it would nip that cough and congestion
September 9th, 2012 at 7:25 am
Havent scrolled through all the post, so I do t know if this has been brought up. Anyhow children under three years of age should not ingest honey as there is a high risk of botulism for them. I have tried substituting organic maple syrup for my eight month old. Let you know how that works out. I know that there arehomeopathic attributes honey allievates with cold but at least the maple syrup makes it a little more palatable.
September 9th, 2012 at 8:07 am
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September 9th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Do u make this and store in fridge? How long will it keep?
September 9th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Would Agave Nectar work?
September 9th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
This is fantastic! I am a singer, and I hate constantly taking cough drops and nasal sprays for a tight, dry or hoarse throat! I’m going to give this a try THIS WEEK!
September 9th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
I want to know is it safe for children??
September 10th, 2012 at 4:25 am
Gretchen–if you make the recipe as it is stated, it will keep, sealed in a clean jar, for as long as you need unrefrigerated. There is nothing in it to go bad.
Amanda–I haven’t used it with agave nectar, but I imagine it would still work.
Stephanie—best of luck to you
Blanca–if you read through the comments (I know, so many!) you will come across those from mothers who have had success with their children—using Much smaller doses.(like 1/4 teaspoon for an 18 month old)
Some mothers have substituted maple syrup for the honey for children under 3.
I personally have not administered the remedy to children and so cannot recommend it. But these mothers have had success.
September 11th, 2012 at 7:42 am
I love your blog, thank you!
A kiss from Buenos Aires
http://terapiafloralyastrologia.blogspot.com.ar/
September 11th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Was just on Pinterest and coughing my lungs out before I came upon this post! I shot right up to make the concauction and tried it right away, chest isn’t as tight any more and I am coughing much less! The taste isn’t as bad as I thought it would be! I go on holidays tomorrow and hope this cough is gone sooner rather than later!! Thanks again <3
September 12th, 2012 at 6:41 am
I just wanted to say thank you!!!! I pinned this a couple months ago, thinking this might come in handy. Well it did. I am an asthmatic with a really bad bronchial cough, almost sounding like croup. And low and behold this does help A LOT! The taste not too harsh, but again I like a little bite than that horrid OTC flavor. I started taking it last night and by morning I started coughing the gunk out and the cough is not as harsh as it has been. Thank you once again. Please keep us updated on batch with the coco. IT DOES WORK!!!
September 12th, 2012 at 6:41 am
I just wanted to say thank you!!!! I pinned this a couple months ago, thinking this might come in handy. Well it did. I am an asthmatic with a really bad bronchial cough, almost sounding like croup. And low and behold this does help A LOT! The taste not too harsh, but again I like a little bite than that horrid OTC flavor. I started taking it last night and by morning I started coughing the gunk out and the cough is not as harsh as it has been. Thank you once again. Please keep us updated on batch with the coco. IT DOES WORK!!!
September 12th, 2012 at 6:58 am
So after feeling absolutely horrible, not being able to sleep because I’m so congested I decided to give it a try. The only part that made me nervous was the vinegar, I get heartburn and vinegar makes it worse, it wasn’t too bad this time (going to thank the honey for that). I also had to sub chili powder for cayenne since I don’t have any C. Worked pretty good! I’m sure the cayenne works better, will have to try it next time. Thanks!
September 12th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
I actually made this up tonight. I added a bit of cinnamon to help with the taste and so far it is already starting to help with that itchy/scratchy feeling I have kicking up courtesy of a certain lil 2 1/2 yr old running around the house. I picked up a natural remedy today with these same ingredients for toddlers (1+) it is banana caramel flavor, so i will try that on her before I try this one, cause somehow i highly doubt she will take to this one at all. Thanks again for posting a lifesaver!!!
September 13th, 2012 at 4:45 am
What People do not realize is that ALL medicine (drugs) are made from Herbs
September 13th, 2012 at 7:15 am
Just tried this, had to use a Raspberry wine vinegar totally out of cider vinegar, and a locally made honey but not raw. Out side of the insane bang you get from the pepper; the only lastest a couple of minutes, it is not to bad. I took it about 7 minutes ago and can already feel the sinus relief.
For those that listed the lemon, honey & whisky; what measurement do you use. My grandma gave us this as kids I think so called it a “hot toddie”. But that stuff worked wonders.
And for all those with coughs try putting vapor rub on the soles of your feet, then socks. Best done at night, knocks out most coughts!!
September 14th, 2012 at 7:42 am
I have 5 children who refuse to take over the counter cough syrup. Can’t wait to try this!
September 14th, 2012 at 11:54 am
I made this for my 2 year old who has the croup. So far it seems to be helping. I gave her a teaspoon of it and a banana a few minutes after she took to cool off her tongue. It is really hot but when the alternative is steroids I’m gonna try the natural way first.
September 14th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Thank you! I just found this. I was diagnosed with bronchitis last Satuday and still dealing with a horrible cough. Doc said up to 3 weeks and no way am I taking OTC that long My cough is instantly gone first dose. I also didn’t have apple cider vinegar, and used original rice vinegar. Worked like a charm
September 15th, 2012 at 8:08 am
Found this via Pinterest and I plan on mixing some up ASAP to have on hand for my cold-prone family (we work in schools:). It reminds me of the ‘Influenza Sorbet’ put out each winter by Jenis Ice Cream. I keep it on hand for the cough and croup! It has lemon, cayenne pepper, whiskey, honey and pectin. Clears the sinus cavities quite well!
September 15th, 2012 at 8:32 am
This sounds what my husband needs but my question is does it need to b refridgerated
September 15th, 2012 at 8:49 am
Hi Linda,
No, if you make the recipe as I have written it, it does not need to be refrigerated. Store in a clean jar with a tight lid.
September 15th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Saw this post and figured I would try it. Made it up and walked from the room to blow my nose. By the time I had come back my hubby had drank the entire batch!! Says it smelled worse than it tastes, lol. Guess it’s time to make another round and keep it hidden from him :)
September 15th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
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September 15th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
[...] at home. Hopefully I’ll get to this one soon enough and won’t have to suffer! Check out Good Food Matters for a homemade cough syrup recipe. I’m putting it to the test [...]
September 15th, 2012 at 11:51 pm
I pinned this about a week ago on Pinterest knowing with fall around the corner I will pick up the “ickies” from my kindergartner or the group of toddlers I watch for a living. I already have started getting throat tickles so will be trying this soon.
Question: I have unmanaged asthma and wake up nightly gasping for air. Would you know if this or components of this would help with asthma symptoms? Just thought id ask c:
September 17th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Foind this on pinterest- and am afraid I’m coming down with bronchitis which could delay a surgery for up to 4 more weeks!! Didn’t have cayenne as I thought I did but used paprika instead- HOLY MOLY!!! That was HOT- BUT I’ve not coughed but once and actually feel better!! I’m intrigued by the cocoa idea I have some- might give that a whirl too!!
Thanks a bunch!!!
September 18th, 2012 at 2:50 am
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September 18th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Hi All, A few things: 1) The is only risk of botulism from raw honey, and even with that, the risk is VERY small as honey and more, propolis, are two of the most antibacterial substances in nature. The risk of botulism from honey is, I have read, exactly the same as from maple syrup, though I would have many questions about this as maple syrup is always heated, honey is NOT. My pediatrician says there is no risk whatsoever from commercial honeys, such as SueBee, for example, because with all commercial honeys, heat has been used to extract the honey from the combs. 2) Agave syrup will not have the same medicinal effects as raw, local honey. Many peoples’ head congestion and cold symptoms are actually seasonal allergic responses, which the honey will help to ameliorate as it contains local pollens. 3) Hot, sweet, clear, sour (ie cider or lemon) containing remedies are three of the best possible remedies in Traditional Herbalism and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for asthmatics, and I speak from personal experience and 30 years of study. Think about this: There is a school of though/Natural Healing which says it is quite normal and highly desirable to get a mucous discharge going, especially during the doyo, or “in between the seasons” as this is the mechanism the body uses to adjust itself, to de-acidify itself, to recreate balance and get rid of metabolic excess/imbalance, to get rid of dead virus bodies and used up T cells and dead white blood cells. Yes, a cough and a cold seem to be a pain in the butt, and the immediate American response is to repress and worse, suppress (with synthetic pharmaceuticals) all symptoms, especially the inconvenient or uncomfortable ones. But think about this: Once you get a good cold or a good fever going, really the worst thing you can do is to drive it back in deep into the body and try to force it to stop. Adjustments MUST be made, and discharges are actually a GOOD thing!!! Could you run your car forever without changing its oil??? Look at these little incidents as proof your body is WORKING, and be very greatful for these episodes, as you will be far healthier when you come out on the other side of them. As far as the question “Does this remedy work?” is concerned, “Hell, yes, it does!” is my answer, AND it’s really good as a salad/steamed veggie dressing, too!
September 18th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Thanks for your mindful and thorough comment, Barbara.
It is best if people follow the recipe as it is written, using Apple Cider Vinegar, Honey, Cayenne, and Ginger, mixed well with pure water.
And, we are in agreement, it makes a terrific marinade too.
take good care, Nancy
September 18th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
I came across this recipe last night. I’ve been suffering from a head cold that was headed towards my chest. I followed the directions exactly, except, I boiled the water and steeped an earl gray and peppermint tea bag for about 5 minutes. Then I let it cool. I also added cinnamon and vanilla. I was very congested a few minutes ago, so I whipped it up, took it then I had to blow my nose and now I’m clear and the congestion in my ear has lessened a bit too!
I did use raw/unpasteurized ACV and raw, local honey. Also, ground red pepper usually is cayenne pepper.
September 18th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Looks like a great recipe, but a WARNING regarding the inclusion of WATER. Be careful! Where there is water, there is life’and with honey(sugar) to feed that life – and it might not be the kind that is good for you. If there were no water, I’d say have at it. THe RAW honey(ie: ‘raw’ maintains good bacteria but pasteurized does not)and the ph of raw apple cider vinegar(like Bragg’s with the ‘mother’) both will inhibit nasties- but the water makes me VERY concerned. Using water I would say best to refridge, I’d say use immediately and up to 3 days to be safe. I’m no professional on this, but I would hate to see someone get very ill on their own petri dish of very bad nasties.please please please reconsider the water. maybe the cayenne will dissolve in the vinegar so as to avoid water.
September 18th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Children under 1 should not have honey. My 2 and 5 year olds have raw local honey all the time. Recipe is great, my
Kids didn’t mind much. Also, the heating process in “commercial” non raw honey will not kill the bacteria that causes botulism, so either way there is still a risk for babies. Maple syrup too!
September 18th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
I made this up for my 7 year old daughter, as she has been coughing for a few days. She did complain that it was spicy, but it seems to have tempered her cough! Thanks so much!
September 19th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Thank you so much! I’ve been suffering from a miserable cold and the wicked cough that goes with it! Tried this syrup today….relief!!
September 19th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Been suffering w/allergies and upper respiratory issues all of my life. I have had so many antibiotics that I developed a penicillin allergy. Currently have crud that has moved to my chest so am excited to try! Just had my first dose so will let you know! Have to say I am thinking of adding a squeeze of lime and marinating some beef or chicken in this stuff-tastes great! LOL! Thanks for posting!
September 19th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
I just made up a batch for two sicko’s in my house, and 18 year old and a 5 year old. Each tried it, my 4 year old thought it was extremely spicy though but it seems to be helping her. Thank you for the recipe!
September 19th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
How often do you take this and how much (teaspoon)?
September 19th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
I just made this for my kids and it was way too spicy for them so I added extra honey and apple cider vinegar… we’ll see! Thanks!
September 19th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Me gusta
September 19th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
been hacking and coughing now for a week was despart went to the kitchen mixed up a batch didn’t have any ginger but went with the rest not coughing Good Bless you and thanks bunches [I was coughing so hard I was in need of diapers] again God Bless
September 19th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
been hacking and coughing now for a week was desperate went to the kitchen mixed up a batch didn’t have any ginger but went with the rest not coughing Good Bless you and thanks bunches [I was coughing so hard I was in need of diapers]
September 20th, 2012 at 4:37 am
Janice, As an adult, I take a tablespoon every 3 hours–as needed. There’s nothing in this that can hurt you. My daughter is grown; I don’t have grandkids yet; so I don’t have personal experience in administering the remedy to children. Naturally you would give a child over three a MUCH smaller dosage. If you read through the many comments, you’ll see that many moms have given it to their children with success. When I posted this, I was only aware of its use for adults.
September 20th, 2012 at 6:43 am
Love this !! Just tried it today & my cough is pretty much gone :) TY
September 20th, 2012 at 10:12 am
I saw this on Pintrist and have to say THANK YOU! My hubby and I have been suffering from a nasty cold for a couple of weeks and it’s to the point now that neither of us are sleeping due to his coughing! I am going to make this tonight for him and me, thank you!
September 20th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Hello I just saw this on Pinterest and want to make it but I do not do well with hot stuff how hot is it? I don’t think I have ever had cayenne pepper before so not sure what I’m in for. Thanks for any comments.
September 20th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Ginny, the cayenne is an important component to the remedy. it’s hot for sure, although the honey does help to smooth the way. but since I don’t know how you react to cayenne (my brother is allergic to it and his lips swell if he ingests any) it’s hard for me to tell you. if you just don’t like the burn–it’s brief and not that intense. but if it upsets your stomach than this might not be good for you.
take good care.
September 20th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Hi Ginny,
the cayenne is an important component of the remedy. It is hot, for sure—although the honey does smooth the way. Since I’m not clear how you don’t do well with it, I don’t know what to say. If cayenne upsets your stomach, I’d steer clear of this. But if you don’t like the taste or burning sensation, just know that it is brief.
take good care, Nancy
September 20th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Nancy thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly, no it doesn’t bother my stomach just hot stuff kinda chokes me a little. Thanks again. Ginny
September 20th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Ginny, if that’s the case, I have a feeling that you could tolerate one tablespoonful, shaken well before using.
September 20th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
This is so great, a natural remedy that my family can take! Thank-you for posting this. Do you know how long this will last in the cupboard?
September 21st, 2012 at 12:02 am
This sounds great!! I’ll make some up just in case. I’d much prefer a “natural” remedy….thanks!!! :D
September 21st, 2012 at 1:16 pm
My allergies have been kicking my butt this week. It’s been causing a dry cough. I remembered that I pinned this recipe on Pinterest and went right to it and made some. The cayenne cleared my sinuses, that’s for sure. :-) And I believe it’s helped my cough a bit. Will have to continue with this for the next few days. I’ve never been a fan of store bought cough medicines, so this was quick and easy to make. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
September 21st, 2012 at 5:04 pm
I was skeptical of making this since it has cayenne pepper in it, but I gave it a try and was quite surprised at the taste. It’s good. I have a lot of “junk” in my throat in the morning and at night. I have been using it for three days now and it’s amazing how it has cleared most of it away. Great improvement. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
September 21st, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I just made a batch of this because my kids (4 and 21 mths) have shared their rotten cold with me and we all know that mommy’s don’t get to be sick!!! I was doubtful that it would taste good because the smell is awful but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it works. My throat isn’t sore for the first time in days!!! I might try making some without the pepper for my kids as they are used to bubblegum or berry flavoured medicines. Now to have a hot soak in some Epsom Salts and go to bed!
Thank you soooooo much for sharing!
September 22nd, 2012 at 9:03 am
I just made my first batch. The taste was beyond horrible. I hope it works. My throat feels better already !
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:41 pm
i was thinking on making large batch and freezing it in ice trays and just warm a cube when needed. Any thoughts on this?
September 23rd, 2012 at 12:59 am
I know you say that you don’t recommend for kids, but I have used this for my kids since they were 1! No problems. They don’t love the taste, but they tolerate it. Sometimes they chase with milk, still works!
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:45 am
HI Alison—It’s not that I Don’t recommend it —I just feel that I am not able to, as I don’t have small children and the direct experience of giving them the remedy.
This is way readers with children appreciate comments like yours (and we have had many in this thread!) so that they can make their own decisions. Many thanks for your valuable feedback.
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:48 am
Hi Sherry–i have never frozen the remedy, and I don’t know how well it would freeze. I’m not sure that it would save you a lot of time in the long run. I would make up 4-6 times the recipe and keep it refrigerated. Remember to shake vigorously before administering—the cayenne and ginger are in a suspension of cider vinegar, honey, and water. Take good care!
September 23rd, 2012 at 5:05 pm
I am an ER nurse who gets horrible colds with intractable coughs every fall. I usually have to take narcotic cough suppressants and steroids. I have been up for 3 nights coughing and came across this on pinterest! I made it up and after taking just 1 tablespoon, my sore throat is gone and I haven’t coughed in over 4 hours!!! WOW!! Thank you so much!!!
September 23rd, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Excellent idea and I’m sure everyone has all these ingredients in their pantry, but HOLY COW, this tasted AWFUL!!!! OMG! Great in a pinch though!
September 23rd, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Sure wish I’d seen this a week ago, our whole family has been sick with a URI and I’ve had the cough of all coughs and not getting any sleep with it. Will fix this tonight and hope it works well.
September 24th, 2012 at 10:41 am
I added a tablespoon of Lakewood Organic lemon juice to mine for added immune properties, plus flavor. Must be kept in the frige though.
Thanks so much for this post! This will always be in my house now :)
I’m actually taking some into work today to share with the ladies there!
September 24th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Thank you for this wonderful remedy that uses all the good stuff in honey. I will feature it in my facebook page!
September 24th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
I love this! Thank you for sharing it. I tried it last night and amazed at how fast and long it has worked. I have hated it with my whole family. Thanks again.
September 24th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
I saw your post last week and have already made of 2 batches. One I gave to my daughter who is sick and one batch for my husband who works in the oilfield and is always outside in the dust. His allergies drive him crazy. He is taking his back to work with him tomorrow. Great stuff!
September 24th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
I tried this a couple of weeks ago. It really worked well (much better than Cepacol)! It also kept the pain away long enough so I could fall asleep at night.
September 25th, 2012 at 5:56 am
I just made a batch and tried it, I hope it works! How do you store it, does it need to be refrigerated? Thanks for posting this!
September 25th, 2012 at 7:19 am
Shanee,
When you make a small batch such as this, there is no need to refrigerate it. Just keep it on the counter and use as needed. Generally, you will use up a batch within a couple of days. If you want to, you can refrigerate it.
September 25th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Unfortunately, i too, just made a batch and hope it works. Half of my skull is plastic and the pressure from so much congestion and coughing is painful!
September 25th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Love this. A great dressing for julienned veggies too. Thai!
September 25th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Do you think its safe for kids?
September 25th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Hubby is getting the change of the seasons cold. I am so glad I found this on Pin I just made a batch, so hope it works for him. Poor thing ;(.
Thanks for sharing. I prefer homemade too.
September 25th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Dana, when I posted this remedy, I recommended it mainly for adults, as that was my experience. My only child is grown! If you scroll through the many comments you will find a large number from parents who have given it, in smaller doses, to their children and had great success.
September 26th, 2012 at 10:00 am
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September 26th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
I made this and tried it. Just starting to get a cough. The taste is really not that bad. Much better than commercial cough syrups! I would much rather take a spoonful of this then that anyday! My Mother used to make me this years ago.
September 27th, 2012 at 4:51 am
OK…so I made a small batch up last night for my husbands forever hacking cough…some nights its been so bad I thought he was going to cough up his lungs….last night he took a Tablespoon…8 hours of no hacking AT ALL!!!!! I’ll be sharing this one with everyone!!! THANK YOU for sharing!!!
September 28th, 2012 at 11:52 am
I found this recipe just in time. Seems like everyone is having a dreadful cold these days. Your recipe seems to work wonders on my sore throat. thanks :)
September 28th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
[...] September 28, 2012 in Style Home Remedy for sore throat, hacking cough, tight congestion… Using this in the winter instead of all those mucus relief drugs and decongestants that don't do a thing. link: http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ [...]
September 28th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
made some just now! woke up with a sore throat, started doing salt water gargles, eating spicy food, and then decided to make this. i have a huge paper and two tests! i don’t have time to get sick! it tastes great! kinda like a salad dressing haha. i’ll be keeping it in the fridge. hopefully my whatever i have (not sure if cold or allergies) goes away soon! thank you!
September 29th, 2012 at 9:45 am
Hi I would like to know if I can use chili powder instead of cayenne?
September 29th, 2012 at 9:51 am
Hi Sara,
Because many chili powders have other ingredients in the mix, i.e. cumin, oregano, garlic,
I can’t recommend it as a substitute for cayenne.
September 29th, 2012 at 11:48 am
Ahh ok thx
September 29th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Hi, I just saw this on Pinterest and was wondering if this has an age limit. I have two 2 year old and a 4 year old who have colds. Would you recommend something like this for them and how much
September 29th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
THIS is AWESOME! Stops a cough immediately! Thank you!!!
September 29th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
I just took some of this and oh my goodness, you can feel it working. And to Stacy Donnelly… The cayenne is pretty strong so I don’t know if the little ones could handle it. I would also like to know if there is a way to dilute it down for my 2 yr old.m
September 29th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
WOW!! I am just like Jessica (above post), I tried it about 15 minutes ago and I cannot believe how much better I feel already!! I’ve had a cold for 5 days and this is the best I’ve felt. I used red pepper flakes instead of ground up cayanne and man-o-man is it HOT!! Thanks for pinning this!!!
September 30th, 2012 at 4:50 am
Stacy and Jessica—Because my daughter is grown, and I have never personally given a dose of the remedy to a child, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend it. But if you scroll through the many comments, you’ll find a surprising number of mothers who have given it to their kids with great success. There is nothing in it that would hurt them, but spicy heat may be troublesome.
Naturally you would decrease the dosage size considerably. Take good care, Nancy
September 30th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Thank you so much for this recipe. I get head colds every year and end up with pneumonia every time. I have been feeling like I had a cold coming on and started coughing like crazy last night. I remembered pinning this recipe and made a batch in the middle of a horrible coughing spell. It stopped my coughing completely! Thank you again so much!
September 30th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I made a batch of this remedy and used fresh ginger. I’m not sure if the powdered is as potent as the fresh as there is quite a bite from it. I found this on Pinterest and its one of the best repins I have ever done. Thanks for this as I really am excited about knowing exactly what is going into my body. It definitely works as well.
October 1st, 2012 at 2:54 pm
God bless you for posting this and even more for the patience you have to answer the same questions over and over again. lol Please people, if you have a question check the previous comments first. It will only take you a couple of seconds. :-)
October 2nd, 2012 at 12:48 am
[...] by: Oasis Advanced Wellness http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ Dave Sommers Share this:TwitterEmailPrintFacebookDiggRedditStumbleUponLike this:LikeBe the [...]
October 2nd, 2012 at 5:57 am
Found this on pinterest. Thanks so much. We will for sure use this.
October 2nd, 2012 at 7:21 am
WoW…been coughing up a storm. Seems like the store meds aren’t working for me. Just took this and I can already breath better and the heaviness is off my chest. Will save this!!! Thank goodness for Pinterest this morning!!!
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:27 am
This isn’t the most delicious remedy but it works really well! Thanks so much! I also talked about it on my blog http://nerdcraftlibrarian.com
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:52 am
THANK YOU. I work in a small office so germs spread like crazy. Started feeling a little tickle Saturday night, felt horrible Sunday, felt worse Monday. Saw this on Pinterest when I woke up this morning and immediately made a batch. I felt immediate relief. I have this stuffy nose but horrible hacking dry cough situation going on and last night I was hacking so bad I actually vomited, NO FUN!! This will definitely be on my list of go-to’s from here on out. Thanks again for sharing, this is a serious game changer!
October 3rd, 2012 at 7:16 am
My 5 year old has had a terrible cough that has kept him up at night. I found this last night and made it up right away. I tried it myself to test the heat and decided to administer it to my son in a medicine syringe (1 tsp.). I warned him and had water ready for a chaser. His eyes bugged out and he swigged the water and he was fine. I didn’t hear another cough all night…it was GREAT! Couldn’t get it down for the 3 year old though. I might try reducing the potentcy. Thanks for this post!
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:27 am
After finding your natural remedy on pinterest, I shared a picture of it with a link on my blog a couple of weeks ago. I realize now that blogging etiquette dictates that I should ask permission before sharing someone else’s photo (it seems so obvious, but I was new to blogging and ignorant!) I sincerely apologize, and I took down the post as soon as I realized my error.
I see that in a comment above you had granted another blogger permission to use it, with credit. Knowing that you are ok with it, I am reposting (with your blog linked, and saying only good things.) I hope that’s ok!!
Thank you for sharing your recipe.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:33 am
Hi Robin,
I am happy for anyone to post the remedy, with my photos and link to my blog. Foremost, I want as many people as is possible to be able to benefit from this simple home remedy. Thanks for sharing with your community. Take good care, Nancy
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:19 am
I am making a jar of this tonight to bring to work with me tomorrow. My whole staff is sick!
October 3rd, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Thank you for sharing! Everyone at my work is sick and I hate the taste of OTC syrups. This smells and tastes great and worked within 15 minutes.
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Found this on pinterest. Thank you so much!! I’ve felt blah the last 2 days. The meds I’ve tried helped with other symptoms but my throat still hurt. Super easy to make and it works. This will be my go to from now on!
October 5th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Nancy thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I found this on Pinterest and it’s perfect timing because I have a touch of a cold right now! I run a frugal website where I do a feature called the Frugal Pin of the Day, and I featured your recipe in today’s post! I find awesome frugal ideas, projects and recipes on Pinterest and share them with my readers, and I just knew they would love this! Here’s the link if you are interested in checking out the post:
http://anexerciseinfrugality.com/2012/10/frugal-pin-of-the-day-23.html
Thanks again for sharing the recipe! Keep up the great work!
-Rose
October 5th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
This is truly amazing! Just tried it with my 17 month old (who was not thrilled about the taste). He was hacking all day, and since I’ve given it to him I heard one tiny cough. Thanks so much for posting this!!!!!! Look at how many people you have helped!
October 5th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
This is truly amazing! Just tried it with my 17 month old (who was not thrilled about the taste). He was hacking all day, and since I’ve given it to him I heard one tiny cough. Thanks so much for posting this!!!!!! Look at how many people you have helped!
October 6th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
This worked so well it like magic. I don’t know if I would use it as a merinaide like another person commented, but it works like a charm. I told a girl about it at work. But stuff on earth. I already had all of the products at home so it was easy. Thanks
October 6th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
So I just tried this after searching “cold remedy” on pinterest. My husband followed me into the kitchen, asking what concoction I had found. I got out the vinegar, he winced. I got out the cayenne and he got curious. I mixed it all (before the honey) and he said “That smells like ginger salad dressing!” He watched as I took a big spoonful…
I love it! I could sit there and take shot after shot… but I’m one of those people who like that “burn” from ginger and pepper on a sore throat. I’m not taking any meds for my cold right now, and this is a welcome addition to my weapons. Thanks so much!
October 6th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
I was wondering…I am wanting to make a big batch to have on hand all the time, so I know I will need to keep it in the frig. Is there anything I need to do different than just shaking it when getting it out of the frig or is it just that simple & the same? Also how long will it keep? When would you throw it out from being in frig? Thanks so much for sharing this, just what my family needed!
October 7th, 2012 at 10:09 am
is there a difference between cayanne and cayanne red peper? because i just tried that and my mouth is on fire?
October 7th, 2012 at 10:27 am
Always looking for alternatives to OTC meds for my pregnant moms. This is a great choice and a must try for this winter!
October 8th, 2012 at 5:27 am
I really dislike the taste but I also hate balsamic vinegar and this tastes sorta the same in my opionion. Nope, not a keeper lol! And also it burns in your throat. Back to the normal stuff I guess.
October 8th, 2012 at 7:12 am
I swear, apple cider vinegar is the cure for everything. I used to give it to my horse before shows to calm her down, I would drink it myself to calm me down. Take a little bit and it helps relieve heartburn and migraines. I always always always have some around.
October 9th, 2012 at 4:26 am
Awesome! Been lying awake all night with this icky cold getting worse by the minute. Started pinning on my phone and stumbled across this… Jumped out of bed to make it. 30 minutes later I can breath, not coughing and still feel the oh so good tingle! Like many others that commented, I liked the taste too. It’s a keeper! Will also keep on hand for my 17 month old (just might cut the cayenne down for him). Thank you for sharing!
October 9th, 2012 at 6:23 am
Back to a cold after one week off. This time it’s creeped into my lungs. A friend posted this for me, so I hunted down some local honey, organic cider vinegar & picked up the cayenne (I already had ginger). This is a good expectorant and actually did help my sore throat & dry cough. Still have issues with general achy-ness and sinus pressure. The cayenne definitely kicks, but the honey does soothe. I also gave some to my 12 year-old (who doesn’t mind spicy stuff) right before school and he did fine, but I don’t think a younger child should try it for fear of shock & choking from the pepper. If you don’t like OTC’s and prefer the home remedies. This is definitely worth a try. . . but keep it on hand as I feel the need to take it every couple hours. . . but that’s the nice part about it being drug free!
October 9th, 2012 at 7:46 am
Wondering how often you should take this? I love the idea of a homemade remedy! would you take say 3-4 times a day or less?
October 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This recipe is awesome… Felt a sense of immediate relief with just the first dose!
October 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This recipe is awesome… Felt a sense of immediate relief with just the first dose!
October 10th, 2012 at 7:31 am
I just made some and took a does. I can’t believe it but I felt immediate relief! I’m so curious to find out how long it takes until I am over this sore throat.
Thanks so much for posting!
Side note: It has quite a little kick so I’d be careful with children. It might be too much for them. Also, don’t take on an empty stomach.
October 10th, 2012 at 7:40 am
I found this on pinterest — and immediately made up a batch! My daughter (3 years old) gets a very congested cough each winter (though it doesn’t seem to spread to others, and it doesn’t seem to slow her down any), so I thought I’d test it out on her. heh. She has taken it yesterday and today in the morning with a bit of a drink afterwards, and so far, so good! I’m thrilled to have something to offer my kids and us in place of gunky stuff from the store. Thanks a million!
October 10th, 2012 at 8:07 am
[...] The original recipe is good, and similar to Grandma’s remedy so I thought I would share it, since it is coming on to cold and flu season. [...]
October 11th, 2012 at 7:56 am
[...] How To Make A Homemade Syrup For Cold and Flu [...]
October 11th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
[...] Hence my search began. Thanks to the Garden Pantry which I had found on Facebook, they had sent this nice little recipe which the original can be found here. [...]
October 12th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
[...] Herbal Salve Herbal Decongestant Salve Homade cough syrup How to Use Peppermint Oil as Insect Repellent The Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide and It’s Many [...]
October 12th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
I have known some recipes for cold but this is totally new to me. I have to try it out!
I’m also surprised to learn that ginger exists as a powder… I always bought fresh ginger in the shops.
October 12th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
thank you, thank you, thank you!! This is the only thing that has worked for my hubby’s cough this past week!!! I’m writing a blog post all about it. It really is the best thing, no more OTC cough meds in this house!!!
October 13th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
This remedy sounds wonderful, especially if you have little people who do not enjoy mommy or daddy putting nasty medicine in their mouths. I prefer natural before the things over-the-counter in the stores. I was using an all natural cough syrup sold at my local Walgreens and Rite Aid but it was costly for only 4 oz. The ingredients were buckwheat honey, water, vitamin C and zinc. I can buy local raw honey up the street from my house, 16oz for only $5 in several different flavors. I am still hunting down some Bragg’s ACV, I think everyone else is stocking up for the winter, too.
October 13th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I couldn’t muster up the courage to use Cayenne, so I used Cinnamon for my first batch. One spoonful and my sinuses feel like they are opening up and my throat is soothed. Absolutely wonderful, quick and delicious. This is going in my lemon tea! Thank you!
October 14th, 2012 at 7:36 am
Stumbled upon this via Pinterest. It sounds perfect for a scratchy throat. I’m a hobby bee keeper so pure,raw,local honey is always in my pantry-as well as all the other ingredients. I’d suggest making a pot of hot water, remove from burner and place the jar in the hot water for a few minutes, then stir. I think the ingredients will mix together nicely then and wouldn’t it taste even better going down warm! Glad to find your site!
October 15th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Hoo-Wee was right. warmed my mouth and kicked my tongue. Let’s see if it breaks up this cough/wheeze… please?
October 15th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
I really could use this remedy right yet will have to wait I get to the store. Better have a double captain & coke in the mean time.
October 15th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
I tried this recipe last night after all of the drug store products did not work to calm my cough. Much to my surprise it did quiet my uncontrollable cough and I was able to get some sleep. However the next morning when I went to the bathroom I had an uncomfortable surprise. . . It felt like fire was literally coming out of my butt. You might want to add a disclaimer to this recipe to limit the amount that one can actually drink due to that particular side effect. My husband however found my predicament pretty funny.
Thanks again for a recipe that works. ; )
October 16th, 2012 at 7:24 am
I am wondering if you added more honey than the recipe calls for due to the fact that yours looks so think in the pictures? I just made a batch and gave it to my husband who is home sick, so we’ll see how he does with it! Thanks for posting this.
October 16th, 2012 at 8:35 am
Hi Kathy,
No, I didn’t. Honeys vary in color, deep amber to light gold, and that may account for my remedy’s appearance. Some people have added more honey to the recipe, which, other than adding calories, wouldn’t hurt at all. Take good care, Nancy
October 16th, 2012 at 8:37 am
Sorry about that, Toni! You are the first person to comment on having that “uncomfortable surprise.” They do say, however, that cayenne goes in And comes out Hot.
October 16th, 2012 at 10:19 am
I am 37 weeks pregnant and got sick a few weeks ago witha annoying sore throat and slight cough. Normally, I would take Alka Seltzer cold to mask my symptoms but since it’s not safe during pregnancy, I went on the hunt for a natural remedy.
Found this on Pinterest and figured, why not? At the very least, the spicy-ness could cause contractions (which it did, btw, just not enough). It did quiet my cough for about 6 hours but unfortunately my throat was still on fire (I blame the pepper?). It did, however, solve another issue I’ve been having: HEARTBURN! After the initial shock of the pepper and I drank a few small sips of water, my heartburn and nausea (my guess is the ginger) disappeared about 20 minutes later. And for hours! Who would have guessed?!
All in all, I definitely recommend trying this for any symptom. You never know what it will help!
October 16th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I don’t have any ginger. Is there something that can be used to replace it?
October 16th, 2012 at 11:45 pm
I like to use this in conjunction with crushed garlic. Yes, at first it is hot, but I feel much better faster without side effects other medicines have. Also, I DO give it to BOTH my children, ages 7 and 6. (I also give them crushed garlic with a glass of milk. I make it a competition to see who can chew the garlic the longest before drinking milk. They love it!)
October 17th, 2012 at 6:25 am
[...] Cold & Flu Home Remedy #2 Homemade Spicy Honey Cider Syrup [...]
October 17th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
ThiS really works for me and I love the taste. I’ve found that two tablespoons per dose works best for me…and I warm up the honey just a little bit 10-20 sec in microwave, before I add it to the rest of theingredients it mixes better
October 18th, 2012 at 5:01 am
Great idea–warming the honey. Thanks for sharing!
October 18th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
I made this. Took it religiously. I was disappointed.
October 18th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
My grandmother used to make this with garlic instead of cayenne. I always thought it could double as a salad dressing because it was so yummy. Thanks for posting it. I am fighting a cold, moving, while working, going to school and being a single mom. No time to be sick so I just made a small batch and already feel like my chest is loosening up. Thanks again!!
October 18th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
So I just gave this to my 5 yr old soon, after a serious coughing fit and almost throwing up from coughing.I was a little worried that it would b to spicy, and he would get sick from that………I warned him. He took it like a champ! ..with a water chaser……a couple coughs later, he is Finally sleeping.haven’t heard a cough……..thank u!!! Thank u!!
October 19th, 2012 at 4:54 am
Been using something very similar, but will now add the ginger. A fab “lots, good, cheap” remedy!
October 19th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
[...] this could come in handy over the next few months. Try this all natural decongestant and sore throat remedy I found at Good Food Matters. Filed Under: Simple [...]
October 20th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Just wanted to share that I made this up for my daughter this morning, (17yr. old) and she chased it with a swallow or two of milk to get the burn out of her mouth. She said it worked great! (She’s blowing her nose like crazy right now, so I’m thinking the syrup is working too!)
October 20th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Love it! Great ingredients, and not a grain of sugar. Grandma would approve. Thank you!
October 20th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Thank you! I had everything but ginger but it still worked!
October 20th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
My husband woke up yesterday with a killer sore throat, so I made this for him, and right after he swallowed the first tablespoon of it, he said it immediately cured his sore throat. His throat didn’t bother him at all after that. I’m so glad I found this!! I’m sure it will be used many times in the future. And what’s great is that all the ingredients are healthy for you! Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a spoonful of it from time to time even if you’re not sick. ;)
P.S. I used cinnamon instead of ginger because we didn’t have any at the time. Worked great!
October 20th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
I tried this two weeks ago for congestion due to allergies and it worked so well. I’m using it again now for the same reason. My 7 yo dd also has a wicked cough that developed this week due to crazy Texas weather. I gave her some and I’m hoping it helps her too.
October 21st, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Down with the flu?? Take a hot bath as hot as you can tolerate put on pajamas,warm up the home made cough syrup in the micro,take it as suggested,now put extra blankets on your bed and sweat it out in the morning you will be shocked how much better you feel..It works trust me!!
October 21st, 2012 at 6:06 pm
I have not been able to read all the replies, but I wanted to let you know that I just made a quadruople batch of your recipe, as I am a CSR who has been covering insane hours. At one point last week, my voice just stopped, then returned like a volume knob was turned up. i just took a t. prophylactically and WHOO! CAYENNE! but my esophagus is all lovely and warm. Thank you. Found this link on Pintrest. Thanks for being out there for us to find!
October 21st, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Hi Matti–so glad that you found this, and that it worked for you.
Georgiana–good advice about the very hot bath, bundling up, warming the remedy, and getting in bed.
I’m always pleased to learn about everyone’s successes. Of the nearly 300 comments, there are 3 where the person was disappointed with the results–basically 1% negative reporting. that’s a pretty strong endorsement. take good care, all! Nancy
October 21st, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Thank you so very much for posting this “home remedy.” I shared the web address to your blog at the Tea Party section of the Knittingparadise.com site. We fancy ourselves to be almost a virtual tea party, sitting around sharing stories, exchange recipes and sharing what we are knitting. We have people joining in from all around the world that I’m sure will find this recipe useful. This is a thoughtful thing to have on-hand right now, as the seasons are changing, and I would much rather try something like this and not an over the counter syrup where I can’t even pronounce the ingredients. Thanks for your thoughtfulness!
October 22nd, 2012 at 6:12 am
I pinned this a few wks ago & have been sharing it with EVERYONE I know. We’ve been using it here at home & it seems to be working great! THANK YOU!
October 22nd, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Nancy, you’re awesome. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m breathing easy for the first time in days, and my bubbly, croupy cough has quieted this afternoon. I did add 1/2 tsp of cocoa powder to the mix. While I wouldn’t say the concoction tastes “great” as some commenters have, it’s certainly not intolerable. The kick of the cayenne is soothed by the honey (I used Manuka). If it seems too hot upon immediate swallowing of the elixir, chase it with a sip of tea or milk or water. The burning doesn’t last long, but the effects are almost immediate. I’ve done two doses today (3 hours apart) and feel like a new woman.
October 23rd, 2012 at 7:05 am
Looks great! We don’t take much medication in this house, and I have found that for a sore throat and scratchy cough, plain honey works well. So I can’t wait to try this. It should be noted in your post though that infant’s under 1 year should never have honey due to the risk of infant botulism.
October 23rd, 2012 at 12:48 pm
I didn’t read all of the comments, but would it be too spicy for a 5 year old or any age child(besides under 1 yr)?
October 23rd, 2012 at 1:31 pm
[...] was doing my daily read online and came across a blog post. It’s a recipe for a home remedy to sore throat, hacking cough and tight congestion. And if you have been reading this post, you [...]
October 24th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Sounds like this really work. I have to try this one with my husband. I always want to go the natural way instead of relying on medication.
October 24th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Just whipped up a batch this evening since my throat is sore, my sinuses are draining and congested and I feel like ICK all over.
I took 2 tablespoons of this concoction and WOW!! I feel better already. Seriously, within a few minutes, I just felt better.
I, also, added a 1/4 tsp of cinnamon! DEEEELISH
October 26th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Nice blend of “natural medicine” ingredients but…”Homeopathic miracle drug”?! Homeopathy doesn’t involve drugs!
October 26th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
I had seen this on pinterest for the last week or so. My allergies are acting up, scratchy throat, nasal drainage and congestion. Searched through my spices, had all the ingredients….and BAM! 10 minutes later, my nose,throat and the coughing has cleard up..THANKS! A little spicy, but I feel so much better already.
October 27th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Anyone know if this is safe for a pregnant girl??? Im suffering?
October 27th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
This is deffinantly a keeper. Hoping that it works on my husband’s problem of choaking while he’s eating. Poor thing has had so many wonderful meals ruined by his problem. Since it’s just like what happens when u get a cold I’m really hoping it works. Thankx so much for this post!! :-):-)
October 27th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Rindy,
Some pregnant women have left comments here saying that they were helped by the remedy.
I do not know of any reason why it would not be safe for you. Take good care, Nancy
October 28th, 2012 at 8:51 am
Wow! I found your recipe on Pinterest. I used my rasp to grate fresh ginger (I didn’t have any dried on hand), and I feel better already! This is a great alternative to OTC medicine. Thank you!
October 28th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
I pinned this from a friend. I just made a batch (NASTY) but I am hoping it will help with the bad cough I have. I can say I haven’t coughed since i took it. Lets see if this will help me sleep tonight.
October 30th, 2012 at 4:45 am
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October 30th, 2012 at 9:29 am
This is kind of random, and I love the remedy recipe i’m in great need of it right now actually, but I absolutely love your silverware would you happen to know what collection it is?
October 30th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Hi Kensey–That old spoon belongs to my friend Maggie-I’ll have to ask her!
October 30th, 2012 at 10:49 am
I just made a batch of this for my boys after seeing it on Pinterest- my 2 year old has a bad cough (sounds a little croup-y to me) and the 3 year old is starting to get one, too. I will say that the older one HATED the taste of this, but the younger one made a face and then was fine in about 30 seconds. He just coughed for the 1st time since taking it (maybe a half hour ago, and he’s been coughing every few minutes for the last 2 days), and the cough actually DOES sound better! Thanks so much for the post, I love being able to give my boys something and actually know everything that’s in it.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Have any remedy for a cold?
October 30th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
I wish!
October 30th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Such a great recipe, love that the ingredients are available in most pantrys! Doing it right ahead, and taking it preventively! :D
I read a question about substituting ground ginger for fresh…and also vinegar for lemon juice.
I think the shelf life of the remedy might be shortened if these substitutions are made, because fresh ginger and fresh lemonjuice can start fermenting.
October 30th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
You are correct about that Laura. I have noted, from time to time in this comment thread, that cider vinegar and powdered ginger are better for that very reason.
October 31st, 2012 at 4:38 am
this is awesome.. I prepared it and kept it in fridge..3 days back I had sore throat so I thought to use it today morning..OMG it felt like magic..thx for the great remedy :)
October 31st, 2012 at 12:23 pm
An excellent recipe, glad it’s catching on over at pintrest. I’ve been drinking similar mixtures for a while now, though I’ve brewed them into a hot drink, like a tea, instead of a syrup.
I’m currently cradling a large mug of vinegar-honey-cayenne, though last night’s mixture was my immuno-boosting one, which was lemon juice, vinegar, honey, cayenne, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and fresh raw garlic.
More so even than a cold teaspoon, adding some to a cup of hot water for sipping really helps break up stubborn sinuses, and if you can stand to inhale some of the steam, all the better for you! I make mine pretty strong (3T honey and 4T apple cider vinegar in about 2 cups water, hot as you can stand it, 3-4 shakes of cayenne), but my boyfriend and sister get weaker doses, and both beg me for it whenever they’re feeling something coming on, so I’m sure it’s still effective. You could probably just stir in spoonfuls of your mixture into some hot water or, to mask the taste, some strong tea!
If you’re coughing through the night, prop yourself up in bed and sip a hot mugful while reading. You’ll drift away before you know it, the warmth helps a lot.
October 31st, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Thank you for your thoughtful tips, Elaine. I agree that drinking it hot can be extremely soothing and effective.
November 1st, 2012 at 6:18 pm
JUST, tried this for my 9yo son. BIG NO! He freaked when the cayenne kicked in on his throat and taste buds. I took it immediately after him a nd, although it was pretty hot, I did okay with it. Looking forward to it kicking in for me.
November 2nd, 2012 at 1:35 am
Came across this via Pinterest, and I’m glad I did! This past weekend, I came down with one of my infamous sinus infections. I don’t get colds; I get upper respiratory infections. I’m usually down for two weeks with them, and the drugs I chug make it endurable.
Because this is an actual infection, I do need antibiotics to heal, but I usually have to take a lot of decongestant to keep my head from exploding. We all know what extended use of commercially-prepared decongestants can do to a body, and I decided to give this a go.
It has made a big difference in how I feel. I still have congestion, but it’s endurable rather than debilitating. I made up a small bottle’s worth and take a swig every hour or two to keep down the pressure in my head. I also upped the pepper content a bit to help heat out the blockage.
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
November 3rd, 2012 at 2:00 pm
I came had been using hydrogen peroxide to rinse out my mouth for a ten min period daily for about 5 days and didn’t realize that i was coming down with a cold because it was so mild. I was reading all the posts on this recipe and had developed a sore throat the kind you have to force yourself to swallow with. I tried it thinking it would be so strong I would be picking myself off the floor if I could even get past my nose. To my surprise it was not bad at all only thing it did nothing for the sore throat and ear ache so I finally broke down and took some ascriptin which has always worked well for sore throats. After two rounds of that no sore throat but as far as the progression on the cold I believe the recipe has worked. I will continue to use to hopefully halt any further progress. Thanks for sharing I always prefer the natural way.
November 5th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Thank you! Thank you! I am going to pass this on to my Sailors as they are all complaining that I gave them my cold I have been to the ER twice and none of the medication has worked I am unable to sleep or function as a full time mom this past two to three week cold refused to let go I just took three tablespoons of your amazing remedy and up came about 2 cups of slithery slime from my mouth. I thank God you decided to share this and thank God for Pinterest!
November 5th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
[...] great home remedy, made from things you likely have in your pantry, really does work. Read about it here. The key ingredients are vinegar, honey, and lemon, plus a few other things. If you can’t [...]
November 5th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Do you use fresh ginger??? A lot of posts; didn’t want to read them all to see if anyone else had the same question.
November 6th, 2012 at 5:21 am
Hi Clarice–you certainly can use fresh ginger if you prefer. Several people have with excellent results. One caveat–if you use fresh ginger, it will not be shelf-stable. You need to refrigerate the remedy.
November 6th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
I pulled back the label on a bottle of NyQuil to check out the ingredients. the non-medicinal ones are scary. going to mix up a jar of this and toss the NyQuil. Cheers
November 6th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Excelente remedio!!
November 7th, 2012 at 4:47 am
I have been up past few nights with two kids who are sick and I myself has it also. Was feeling a lump in the throat and quite sore, ear hurt , coughing, and runny nose. I whipped this up and am feeling so much better. Giving it to the children in the morning when they wake. Thank you for posting this.
November 7th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
After pinning this, I had to try. So, I bought some local honey, stopped by Alberstons and got the rest of the stuff. I made enough to fill a small mason jar (3x recipe plus an extra Tbs honey cuz I was scared of the cayenne) I haven’t tried it out yet, my sore throat I had when I pinned has subsided….Now I find myself hoping someone gets sick so I can try this out! LOL is that evil of me?
November 7th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
I had a double birthday party for my kids last weekend. Monday Oct. 29, I woke up with that tell tale tickle in the bak of my throat. With o time to slow down, I decided it certainly couldn’t hurt to try this remedy.
Well, the Cayenne was a little “warm” for my Scandinavian palette, but it was tolerable. I took the remedy in the morning, went to work, came home and had more. Repeated the following day… I am happy to report that my cold never set in. The tickle in my throat went away within 24 hours. This will be my Go-To whenever I feel a cold coming on! Forget Airborne!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!
November 9th, 2012 at 8:29 am
Quick question – would this be safe for toddlers? I have a 15 month old and a 2 year old. Would you recommend it for kids?
November 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I have Satan’s headcold, nonstop coughing every few minutes ranging throat clearing to feeling like I need to hang on to my eyeballs for fear of them popping out. I made a batch of this about 15 minutes ago…..wowza! No cough AND I can smell out of my right nostril again! The cayenne pepper burned a path through my nervous system and I could SEE color for a few moments so I would NOT give this to a kiddo but I will continue to brave myself! Thank you!
November 9th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Cindy, I personally do not recommend it for the wee ones, but if you scroll through these many many comments, you will find a number of people who have given very small doses to their kids with success.
November 9th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
I made a small batch (is it supposed to be watery?) and gave it to my 7 yr old son and gave him 2t but he’s still coughing. How long until it kicks in? Should I give him more than 2t?
Thank you!
November 9th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Hi Rebecca,
The remedy is somewhat watery–shake it well to help dissolve the powdered ginger, honey, and cayenne.
It usually works fairly quickly, in helping to open and break up congestion, soothe the throat.
I can’t recommend giving more than 2 teaspoons to your 7 year old.
November 9th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Just tried this. I didn’t have acv so I had to substitute pomegranate infused red wine vinegar. Other than that I followed instructions. I am a teacher with NO voice. Throat hurt so badly I went for a strep test (negative). Tasted great to me. Not coughing now and no throat pain. Hope it helps voice eventually.
November 10th, 2012 at 7:00 am
This sounds like a great recipe to use when I do get a cold, but I haven’t had one for about 3 years now – since I’ve been using just the honey and cider vinegar [ I must admit I use quite a bit more vinegar than required because I like the 'bite']. I make up a mixture in a glass drink/juice bottle when I feel a cold or sore throat coming on and just have a sip when needed through the night or whenever. I don’t seem to need much to stop the cold becoming established. I just put the honey into bottle, warm to melt, add vinegar and shake to mix. No need to refrigerate, and it keeps indefinitely.
If I ever make up the recipe with cayenne etc. I would never use water [because of the bacteria], I’d probably use more vinegar for myself.
November 10th, 2012 at 8:27 am
I found this on pinterest. DH has a nasty cold and I think I feel it starting too. So just whipped up a batch and took a dose. My throat feels better already.
Also, I had a touch of heartburn after my morning coffee. It cleared that up too- one would think it would make it worse.
November 10th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Just to let yall kno my symptoms were just my throat and cough… I think it might be an infection in my throat. The remedy work on my sore throat temporaily and made my cough a little worse. My husband had bad chest congestion as a result of smoking cigs, and it worked wonders on him just like mucinex would do. So thank you and I plan to make my sister try it tomorrow! She has her first cold ever and she is 20 yrs old. I say wow. But anyways thanks so much for posting this ti pinterest!!!!!
November 11th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Can u sub cyanpepper for chili powder
November 11th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Hi Angela,
Chili powder is not a good substitute for cayenne in this home remedy recipe.
Take good care, Nancy
November 12th, 2012 at 10:49 am
[...] المصدر: http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. [...]
November 12th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Thanks!We are all coughing and my daughter is really sick, I will definitely try this!
November 14th, 2012 at 5:58 am
[...] By Nancy Vienneau | Good Food Matters [...]
November 14th, 2012 at 6:54 am
This stuff really works. I went from non=stop out of control coughing to no cough at all and a full night of sleep, with just 1 Tbls.
I love it!
November 15th, 2012 at 11:38 am
[...] Cough Remedy – Check the Tutorial [...]
November 16th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Sounds like a great stocking stuffer. One never knows when it may come in handy.
November 17th, 2012 at 3:24 am
My son and I tried this last night.
Working well for my cough, but I had terrible acid reflux throughout the night. Haven’t had it in years before this. Probably the cayenne??
The good news is that I haven’t heard my 15-year-old cough all night!
Thanks for sharing!
November 18th, 2012 at 7:17 am
Works like magic!! I gave this to my 10 year old daughter for a persistent cough and after 3 doses, it was GONE!!! yipee!!
November 18th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
I just mixed up a batch of this in a mason jar as I’ve just come down with the upper respirator “crud” that’s going around. I made 1 change though..I substituted 1/4 tsp. of Saigon Cinnamon (it’s sweeter than regular cinnamon) in place of the Cayenne as I was afraid that would be too harsh on my stomach. It’s working GREAT!! Thanks for this great recipe!
November 19th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
I have just made this recipe for the first time. It is still burning (in a good way) in my chest since I took the first dose a few minutes ago. I tell you the truth, I am not coughing anymore. I was coughing every few seconds or so. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
November 20th, 2012 at 12:01 am
I’ve been dealing with a bad cough for three weeks now. My who doctor practices western and eastern medicine gave me a Bronchitis inhaler, which I’ve been using for a week and told me to drink hot water with Buckwheat Honey. Not really keen on the use of the bronchitis drug.
Just mixed up a batch, it’s spicy but not bad at all. Actually feels good on my throat. Cough seems to have stopped but it’s too early to tell. BTW, I used Buckwheat since my Dr said it had many beneficial healing properties So far, my chest feels good but I’ll post in a few days and let you know how this worked out.
November 20th, 2012 at 7:04 am
Hey Nancy! It is like 5:03 in the AM and I have a toddler in bed. I looked in my cabinet and no Cayenne pepper…I am not sure when I can go to the store. Do you have substitute suggestions?
November 20th, 2012 at 8:36 am
[...] Cold & Flu Home Remedy #2 Homemade Spicy Honey Cider Syrup [...]
November 21st, 2012 at 10:21 am
Sounds great, can’t wait to use it, the only thing is I don’t see where is says how much of what to mix the only thing I see is the ingredients not the amount of each. Could you please help me out with the amount of each. Thank you so much.
November 21st, 2012 at 10:26 am
Hi Colleen,
The recipe, with the amounts needed, is listed on the post. Be sure to scroll all the way down the post to see it:
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons water
Hi Tanya–I can’t recommend any substitutions for the cayenne, although some people have commented in the thread that they used cinnamon instead with good results.
Take good care, everyone!
November 21st, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Wow. This stuff is amazing. My kids are 6, 5, 2 1/2 and 1. 1 year old hasn’t taken it but the older 3 have and it worked wonders. I added a little cinnamon to help with the heat. They have their drink handy just in case it is a little spicy. We have asthma and major allergies so lots of coughs and tickles. This does the trick. The whole family is taking it every morning even when we feel good. I tried having them take the apple cider vinegar alone but it was always a fight. They still balk at the thought of drinking vinegar but actually now like the taste of this. Thanks for sharing!!!
November 23rd, 2012 at 7:02 am
[...] out on his own, I quickly went online to search for a homemade alternative to cough syrup. I found this recipe from Good Food Matters - I loved that it was such an easy recipe and that I already had everything on hand to make it [...]
November 24th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
My husband and I both are suffering from colds right now, found this on Pinterest and thought, I am going to try this for us both. Made it up, gave my husband a tablespoon of it and he went umm. Next thing I know he is following me back to the kitchen for me to put a little more in a cup for him. I got so tickled. Hopefully we will both be better soon. The taste is not bad at all and beats any OTC meds I have ever taken. Thanks so much for passing this on.
November 25th, 2012 at 6:55 am
Nancy, I just quoted you in my blog. Hubby is coughing and I’m in the kitchen, making your magic potion. Thank you. Please come read and comment, if you please!
http://nothing-but-blue-skyes.blogspot.com/2012/11/cough-remedy-in-your-kitchen-cabinets.html#links
November 25th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Those of you asking about kiddos.. I have been using just honey and cinnamon.. 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp honey not as harsh and works great too… my 3 year old was better in 3 days from head cold and cough.. now the hubby and I have it… we have been doing honey and cinnamon also but I think I may like to try this one too… we’ve also been having ginger tea at night before bed… I love natural remedies.. most of my life Ive been pumped full of harsh medications and am sicker than ever due to side effects… I am enjoying learning about the great things herbs and foods can do healing wise… thank you for your post!! :0)
November 25th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Mom sent this to me. Made and took my first swig of tonight. We’ll see how it is in the morning!
November 25th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
I have made and tried this today, have been taking all kinds of otc meds to stop coughing, this seems to work great so far, taken 2 doses over about and 8 hr period, works wonders….thank you for sharing
November 27th, 2012 at 1:27 am
A friend sent the link to me a couple of days ago since I’ve had a nasty cold for almost 2 wks. My Mom actually got the ingredients together for me and mixed up a batch yesterday. I must say that the smell was awful, especially since I’m not a vinegar fan at all, but I took the tablespoonful and the taste was not as bad as the smell. I like how you can feel it going down and working almost immediately. If my 5 year old comes home still sick from her Dads tomorrow I’m gonna give her a smaller dose. I feel tons better already and it’s only been a day. Thank you so much for posting this, we’re keeping the recipe!
November 27th, 2012 at 10:22 pm
I have been making this recipe for a month now, and I love it! I usually get really bad colds that last most of winter, so when I started up I made this remedy right away. Thankfully, it worked! And, I didn’t feel drugged up. I barely got sick, just a sore throat. I added lemon, which for me, made the ACV more bearable.
Also, I have GERD, and I found that the spicy cayenne doesn’t effect it really. :) In fact, I hear ACV helps heartburn. But then again, I am on a Nexium regime.
To tweak it for kiddos, I used mainly honey, lemon, ginger, and tea. I added a lesser does of the pepper and ACV. They seemed fine with it. Thank you so much for this recipe!
November 28th, 2012 at 3:08 am
I’m totally going to use this for Christmas gifts!!!! Since everyone comes down with something during the holidays. Thank you!!!!
November 28th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
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November 28th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I made this tonight because I have a cold and feel yucky. This was WAY worse tasting than anything I have bought in the store. It better work after drinking something that I would compare to spicy toilet water.
November 29th, 2012 at 9:43 am
[...] remembered seeing homemade cough syrup, and pinning it, on my boards. YAY! Nancy at her blog Good Food Matters posted a solution that will knock your socks [...]
November 29th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
OMG! I just made this and was expecting the worst with the taste. It was actually…good! Still waiting to see the effects but, so far so good. Thank you so much!
November 30th, 2012 at 8:01 am
Made this last weekend, surprised it worked! and I loved it! Linked you in my blog post.
November 30th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
HaHa I have seen this same recipe, with the addition of Maubry Bark and Cinnamon, listed for sexual dysfunction in men..
November 30th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
First, you are amazing for repeating yourself over nearly 100 times with the same questions! I read all the comments just to see extra tips. I got frustrated lol. I’m buying the exact ingredients tomorrow and making this for I feel crud in my lungs developing. I’m interested in the women who used cocoa. Hmm I’ll have have to try it out. By the way I’m sure it’s fine with kids in tiny doses. Before chemicals were introduced we all lived on “natural” ingredients way back when. :)
Thanks for posting.
November 30th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
I made up a small batch of this to try–and I was very impressed to find out how well it works! However, it’s a bit difficult for me to get past the taste of the vinegar. I know it may not work as well, but is there anything that I can substitute for the apple cider vinegar that is even remotely comparable?
December 2nd, 2012 at 4:54 am
Just now, with the onset of a cold and scratchy throat, made a batch of this. Thanks for posting. I believe in the restorative qualities of cayenne. Good remedy.
December 2nd, 2012 at 2:20 pm
This is one amazing recipe – so simple, inexpensive, & far more effective than resorting to the usual drugs we’ve come to depend on. For over a week I’d been dreading going to bed, because it didn’t mean “sleep”. I’ve had sinus problems for years & lately a non-stop cough. The only way to get rest was by sitting upright all night & even that was pointless. Well, I happened to find this by chance last night & thought “Why not?” though I did substitute paprika for the cayenne. We always have fresh sweet Hungarian paprika around & it is in the same family of spices.
Anyway, I used it and it worked!! My throat was so sore from constant coughing and…I didn’t cough! It was like magic.
Thank you for sharing this recipe…I’ll be sharing it all around!!
December 3rd, 2012 at 11:31 pm
My almost 2 year old just got off antibiotics and after two days he was sick again horrible cough saying his ears hurt again (he had the meds for an ear infection and pink eye). Well I didnt want to put him back on meds right away so I made a batch and tried it, I am a baby with spice so I was worried it would be to much for him so I added 1 extra tabelspoon of water and 1 extra tabelspoon of honey mixed, still hot for me but thought I would let him try. He LOVED it! Smacking his lips saying yum lol I gave him 1 teaspoon the first time but now he takes 1/2 tablespoon. His cough is completely gone and he was so horse and coughing so much he could only sleep in 1 hour stretches now he is sound asleep! the only problem I am having is he has a horid runny nose now, I am still giving it to him but it doesnt seem to be touching it, anything else you could suggest for that?
Thanks so much!
Crystal
December 4th, 2012 at 8:25 am
Hi, I tried your cough remedy and it works great! So good, that in fact, the other day my stomach was churning. So many people I knew had the stomach flu and I was worried I was getting it too. So I thought, why not try this, either it’s going to help or not. Well, within 20 minutes my stomach stopped churning and I felt much better! So this will be my “go to” remedy for whatever virus ails me! Not sure what it is that makes it so effective, maybe the one two punch of the vinegar and pepper, but whatever, it works! Thanks for sharing.
December 4th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I love this and want to make some for my elderly mother, do you know how long it will keep?
December 5th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Thanks for the remedy. I’m use to eating hot Chili Peppers so this was perfect. I just tried it and I ended up drinking the hole thing. I’ll make another post tomorrow to comment on how I’m doing.
Again thanks.
December 8th, 2012 at 5:53 am
[...] I remember some of the syrups from the times when I was kid and it was really nothing I would like to try again. Well, this is something better, not only it is really cheap and natural, but it has good taste and when cold and flu strikes you will be happy you have this. Full recipe of this syrup is here. [...]
December 8th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Thanks so much for sharing this. I LOVE apple cider vinegar and raw honey. I think the addition of cayenne and ginger will be amazing. Mixing some up TODAY!
December 9th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
I am so glad I found this on pinterest espcially i’m currently breastfeeding and cant take any meds that will harm my lil one. thank u
December 10th, 2012 at 10:38 am
Recipe reads cider vinegar but you say apple cider vinegar. Does it matter? Also recipe watery instead of syripey. Hope it doesn’t matter as I’m sick of these awful ough meds. BTW, what’s the dosage? All of recipe or a tablespoon?!
Thanks!
December 10th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Thanks for this lovely recipe! I will make one for myself, one for my son, and I will also make a little jar and keep it in the refrigerator on the job for my colleagues this winter.
Merry X-mas from Denmark!
December 10th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I just wanted to make sure that the chayenne is chayenne pepper or is there some other spice that is just called chayenne?
December 10th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
I just tried this and it is fabulous. I have been feeling the nagging beginnings of a cold all day and remembered seeing this a few months back, so I googled it and whipped it up. IMMEDIATE relief.
December 10th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Hi Angie, The cayenne is the same as red cayenne pepper.
December 11th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
I just want to say THANK YOU! My husband had a horrible cough a couple weeks ago. We’re in between insurances at the moment. So I went digging on Pinterest to see what I could find. I ran across your “fire water” as we lovingly call it. Within 3 days his cough was almost gone. Additionally, because of the ginger being an anti inflammatory, it also helped with his fibromyalgia. We were thrilled to say the least. He is going to continue taking it 2 times a day because of that one little bit! I added a bit of Turmeric as well to help.
Thank you again!!! :)
December 11th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
[...] Recently my husband complained about a sore throat and a cough, and it was a coincidence that I found this recipe for homemade cough medicine on Pinterest by Nancy. [...]
December 12th, 2012 at 2:18 am
It’s 3 AM and I’m up with a miserable cough. I’ve been saving this recipe – time to concoct it!
December 12th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
[...] in the back of my throat, accompanied by a little sinus pressure. I remembered having pinned this recipe and thought it was worth a try. I took a spoonful of this stuff for several days. This was [...]
December 12th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
It’s 11:07pm here in Denton TX on December 12th, and I’ve been fighting the oncomings of my annual bout of bronchitis for about 6 hours now. It always strikes too late in the afternoon for me to get to the doctor, and by morning, I’m done for. A low-grade fever hit me at about 10:00pm and I swore I would do ANYTHING to keep from getting sick. I am now back in bed after finding your post, and dragging my fevered body into the kitchen to mix up some of this magic.
I am utterly STUNNED at how quickly this stuff works!! It’s been less than 15 minutes since that first tablespoon and my chest has already loosened a bit. I feel a smidge less achy, coughs are distinctly more productive, and it doesn’t hurt as much to breathe. It’s almost instantaneous relief!! I have this little batch of wonderful on the nightstand in case I wake up with a hacking cough in the night – but I think you may have just saved my holiday. THANK YOU.
December 13th, 2012 at 1:28 am
So glad I pinned this months ago… works great! Although there is quite a kick, it tastes way better than any OTC remedy and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it worked and what a great expectorant it is. I think I’ll add a little cocoa next time. Thanks for posting!
December 13th, 2012 at 9:36 am
I’m sorry to say, but I did not like this recipe. I made this mixture for my 5 year old daughter who is sick with a bad cold. After I tasted it, my tongue was uncomfortably hot and the vinegar made me nauseous. There is no way my daughter can handle this concoction. And the vinegar smell and taste turned me off. Perhaps I can substitute the vinegar for lemon juice? I’ll have to experiment.
December 13th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Hi Nancy,
I wanted to let you know that I’ve been using this recipe since early Autumn started and it’s AWESOME!
I have a new blog (Just a few weeks old) and I posted it on there and mentioned you and your wonderful blog. You can see it at http://startingwithabrandnewday.weebly.com/blog.html
Thanks for being incredible!
Amanda
December 13th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I always get a nasty cough with a cold and spend many night on the couch. I just made a batch of this and it did seem to help a little. It cleared my nose out for sure and my cough seems a little better. I will keep taking it. Thanks for sharing!
December 13th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
[...] It’s cold and flu season already here in the mountains of North Carolina. Up at 4:33am this morning with a sickly Mr Brilliant, I started looking for natural cold remedies. If it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger, I imagine. Here’s another one, a quicker-to-make-one. [...]
December 13th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
I am not sick right now but there is a nasty crud going around. I am going to get the ingredients to make this. It sounds awesome. Better than the spoonful of whiskey and sugar I got when I was a kid. Yuck. I sent the recipe to my son and dil in Canada. Thanks for sharing.
December 13th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I’ve been feeling sick for a few days now. Feels like a cold. The stuffiness finally got to me and I had to stop working because I couldn’t concentrate. I was looking at Pinterest and found this. I made it and just took it. My nose cleared up almost instantly. It was definitely that cayenne and ginger. I’m in love with this home remedy. I made a larger batch and I’m refrigerating it. (^_^)
December 14th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
I’m heading to the kitchen NOW … I want this on hand … thank you
December 14th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
[...] http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted in DIY, health and tagged Homemade cold remedy on December 15, 2012 by muskegonvegan. [...]
December 14th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Do you think I could substitute the water for whiskey?
December 15th, 2012 at 6:34 am
Will definitely be making some of this! Thank you.
December 15th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
just made this today as I have had this cold for 10 days and can’t shake it.
I made a large batch as everyone in the house is sick now.
I took one spoonful and haven’t coughed since! I am convinced.
Thank you so much for sharing!
December 15th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
A substitute for cayenne is cinnamon, like honey it has natural anti-bacterial properties.
December 16th, 2012 at 12:22 am
Great recipe!
I have another, but it contains a little bit of alcohol. (That’s for your question, Shauna.)
A)2 ounces of clear liquor (gin, vodka or white rum) B) 2 ounces of lemon juice C) 2 ounces of honey D) Mix well E) Take 2 tablespoons every 4 hours. I got this recipe from CBS Radio from an on air pediatrician. He made a joke out of the recipe by saying “when you feel better, put the mixture in the blender and have company over!” It has always worked for me. The remedy part, not necessarily the blender part!
December 16th, 2012 at 4:41 am
So glad I found this, thank you for posting. Mixing up my batch right now.
December 16th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Thank you so much for sharing. I’m sending my husband to the store in just a little bit to pick up a couple of these items. I’ve been fighting this cold for about 3 days so I’m hoping this will do the trick! :)
December 16th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
I have a scratchy throat and a cough. I don’t have any cider vinegar. Could I omit it or use white vinegar? Please respond as quick as you can. :)
December 16th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
I would not omit the vinegar. I would try it with the plain-because the other elements will help you. When you get the chance, though, buy the apple cider vinegar–it is the best.
December 16th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
I’m going to try this with my son! The typical cough medicine isn’t helping and I’m hopeful that this will do the trick! Thanks
December 17th, 2012 at 1:53 am
[...] How To Make A Homemade Syrup With Honey for Cold and Flu Pin It ← How to Make Medicinal Vinegars to Cure Every Ailments [...]
December 17th, 2012 at 2:02 am
[...] How To Make A Homemade Syrup With Honey for Cold and Flu Pin It ← How to Make Medicinal Vinegars to Cure Every Ailments [...]
December 17th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
I have been taking a tsp of fresh grated ginger, half a juiced lemon, 2 tsp of Manuka honey( this is a variety in Australia & New Zealand that has higher antibacterial properties) in hot water for many years for colds & stomach upsets with great success & a swig of cranberry juice for a cough suppressant, but I will be trying this home remedy. Wish i’d had it three weeks ago when suffering a horrendous sinus infection, but will trial it with my summer hay fever.
Thanks
December 17th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
best of luck, Jayne. I am familiar with Manuka honey–in a completely different application–a facial! It must have very strong healing properties.Nancy
December 17th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
[...] Click Here For Homemade Cough Syrup For Cold & Flu Pin It Filed Under: Health & Beauty [...]
December 18th, 2012 at 11:44 am
I have Meniere’s Disease and OTC cold medicines make me deathly ill. I usually just have to wait out a cold. This worked wonders last week when was coming down with a sore throat and cough. Thanks for the recipe. I also take a cup of hot green tea and dissolve a menthol cough drop in it. Inhaling the steam and sipping the tea can also clear up lingering stuffiness.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Do you use powder ginger or fresh grated ginger? I will try to make this tonight; my hubby has had a cold since winter started and now my son and I have caught it.
December 18th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Hi Marta
I usually use powdered ginger
Either will work
Powdered is easier to work with, and what I used in determining amounts for the recipe
Take good care
Nancy
December 18th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I just realized that Cayenne and Cinnamon have anticoagulant properties and my husband takes warfarin as blood thinners; is there anything else I can substitute?
December 18th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Not that I am aware of
December 19th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I just made this for my daughter today because she was coughing so bad. She took 1 tablespoon and stopped coughing! I was doing the happy dance in the kitchen. Thank you so much for posting this cough remedy.
December 19th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Hey Nance! Glad to see the “remedy” is working for so many! That includes me and Steve at the moment – both have a dreaded cold. Every time we get a little tickle or beginning cough, we take a dose of the remedy and have hours of relief from any coughing!!! It is good stuff!
December 19th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Can I give this to my 21 month old grandson who has croup?
December 20th, 2012 at 5:45 am
Hi Laurel,
I have never recommended the remedy, even in small doses, for children. But, if you scroll through and read the comments, you’ll come across several moms who have had success.
There is nothing that would hurt your grandson, but the cayenne is strong. Some have substituted cinnamon for it.
December 21st, 2012 at 11:38 am
Thank you so much for this. It really seemed to help my throat of its congestion and the clogged feeling. I sing in our church and I’m scheduled in just a few days and I really think I found it in just the nick of time. Have a wonderful Christmas and God bless you!
December 21st, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Saw my MD today. Have severe asthmatic bronchitis and sinusitis. Just made a batch of the “recipe”. My sinuses immediately began to drain. Hoping for some relief with this ho.
rrific chest congestion.
December 22nd, 2012 at 7:22 am
I am going to mix up a batch today so it will be ready should we need it. Like things that are natural.
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:03 am
Hello! Just wondering if it’s safe for pregnant women? Have a bad cold and can’t (plus wouldn’t anyhow) take any meds. Thanks!
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Wow…worked instantly. I have been battling a very bad viral infection for two weeks now and have tried pretty much everything known to man. If you are somebody who minds cayenne, I will forewarn you, it is quite spicy hot but, this recipe worked amazingly well.
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:23 pm
HI Abrah,
Yes, I believe that it is safe for pregnant women to take. There’s nothing there that would hurt you or your unborn child. Take good care, Nancy
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:21 pm
as soon as I took it I felt a lot better!!!!!
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:21 pm
cool
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:22 pm
awesome
December 23rd, 2012 at 2:57 pm
What if you have a allergy to honey? Is there anything else that you could use instead of the honey?
December 23rd, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Thank you soo much!! My whole family is sick so this will hopefully work fantastic, but with all those fantastic comments, I am sure it will!!! Thanks soooo much!!
December 25th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Just wanted to say the crud hit our house hard last week 2 out of 5 had bronchitis the rest of us have a wicked cough. I remembered I had pinned this post via Pinterest awhile back. Thanks to you we had a cough free Christmas.
December 26th, 2012 at 3:54 am
It’s 3:30 am and I just mixed this together since I recently bought cider vinegar and had the other ingredients already. Hoo wee is right, I feel better already, surprisingly my chest cough sounds better. Thank You!
December 26th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
How long will this stay good for? I am going to take it to college with me. Also what kind of ginger do you use?
December 27th, 2012 at 5:18 am
HI Emma,
I use ground (powdered) ginger that you commonly find on the spice shelves at the grocery store. If you follow my recipe, using honey, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger and cayenne pepper (also in dried, ground form from the spice department!) the Remedy will keep, unrefrigerated, in a clean lidded jar for a long time. There is nothing in it that will spoil.
I imagine that you would use it up in a short time period. You can refrigerate it, if you want to. It is very easy to make up small batches as you need them.
Take good care,
Nancy
December 27th, 2012 at 6:40 am
This works beautifully! I didn’t have any ground ginger on hand, so I subbed with fresh — tastes great, and worked immediately. Thanks! This is going in my arsenal of tried & true home remedies for sure!
December 27th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Wow awesome! Thank You So Much,
Emma
December 28th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
My husband has been sick with a nasty cold, so I made up a batch of this for him to try this morning. He said it tasted awful, but when he came home from work he asked me again what all was in it because it worked! He didn’t cough at all after he took it. Now he’s all over it and just took another spoonful, and says the taste isn’t so bad now that he knows what to expect! If I am unfortunate enough to catch this from him I will definitely try it myself!
December 29th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Found this recipe on Pinterest – my son who is lead singer in a band, had come down with a terrible head cold, sore throat and cough didn’t know how he was going to full fill his obligations and sing at the booked gigs this weekend. I told his wife about this recipe he made it up yesterday, took a dose before getting to the gig, another right before they went on stage and another half way thru – complete success, didn’t miss a song and throat never hurt. He was thrilled, said for sure they would be keeping this recipe handy. Really liked that it didn’t make up a large batch at a time. Thank you so much for sharing.
December 29th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
I gave this to my kids a few months ago and it helped a lot. They got a tsp. It is very spicy, so I gave them a drink of milk right after to soothe the burn. This week I got a tickly, dry, annoying, unproductive cough that would put me in fits, especially at night. I made this last night right before bed and it is hot! I’m not a spicy food kind of gal. First a drink of water, then I ate a chocolate (bc we are out of milk and dairy puts the fire out). And I slept! I coughed very little. I took it again this morning and had my egg sandwich at the ready. Swig of water, bite of sandwich, burn gone. I coughed very little all day (thankfully bc we were at a wedding). I’m about to take my night time dose (and have my bite of chocolate in hand :) ). I”m pregnant and determined not to take anything OTC. I’ve been taking raw ACV to fight this cold off, and it has helped a lot, but that tickly cough took hold, and this did the trick. I used ground ginger but might put fresh ginger in the next batch. I don’t think this is delicious at all, so I swig and take a quick bite of something else. Small price to pay. Thank you! One warning: I gave it to my husband and he swallowed wrong and it went down his airway into his lungs and I thought he was having an anaphylactic reaction. He couldn’t breathe. Very scary. Inflamed his lungs and he had a terrible cough for about a week. It could happen to anyone. Just pay attention as you swallow. Scared the life out of me. And him!
December 30th, 2012 at 5:44 am
Thank you for sharing your experiences, April. I’m sure they will help those who do not like the spicy taste. And be mindful of swallowing. Take good care. N.
December 30th, 2012 at 5:46 am
HI Gail–this is a great story! I’m so glad that your son was able to sing with success at his gig.
December 30th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Thanks for this recipe! I just whipped up a small batch and tried a dose and oh my! It was working within 2-3 minutes! The spices really opened up my nasal passage and the tickle in my throat magically disappeared! Thanks so much!
December 31st, 2012 at 8:49 am
Awsome stuff can’t say enough for what it has done for us. Also works on ceder fever in Texas…….
December 31st, 2012 at 7:22 pm
I would love a more kid friendly recipe. Not sure the cayenne and ACV will go over well with my 7yo.
January 1st, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Do you think the concoction would work if I substituted more honey for the water? I think that would make it a little more palatable for children.
Thanks!
January 1st, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Some people have added more honey to the remedy to make it more palatable and still had good results.
January 1st, 2013 at 8:12 pm
Sounds great. I didn’t read all the posts so don’t know if someone else mentioned it but I remember reading somewhere that you shouldn’t give “raw” honey to young children. Just thought I’d pass it on. Sorry I don’t have more info on this
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:01 am
I made this for my husband, except we didn’t have cayenne pepper. But after 2 days, he is cured. Thank you.
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:47 am
Thanks for sharing this, Ive had a throat infection/no voice for the last two days with a phlegmy cough, nothing was really helping and when I ran out of decongestant tonight I made a batch of this up and had just a tablespoon, and it really helped (way more than the decongestant from the chemist I was using). Ive hardly coughed at all since and I feel able to rest properly now. Thanks.
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Do you think it negates it by chasing it with some water? It is really hot and I don’t think I could handle it otherwise.
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:36 pm
It wouldn’t hurt you to try—I don’t think that drinking water afterwards would negate the action.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Oh my goodness, someone had originally pinned this on Pinterest this past November. I saved it, just in case I had to make some of this during this flu season. Well, Christmas holiday week, my son (9years old) came down with Strep throat and I got the flu. I had quite a collection of cough and flu medicines in my home, and NOTHING seemed to quiet the coughing. On the 28th of Dec, my daughter got sick as well. So, all three of us became guinea pigs for this cough remedy experiment. Oh my gosh, this mixture worked! And, yes, it was quite a rush when I felt the first burn, but it didn’t last long at all. My daughter had some, her cough was diminished. My son, I only gave him 1 teaspoon, he too said, it was like clouds breaking apart within his chest. I was skeptic, I’m not anymore. I’ve given this website and recipe to so many others. It seems as if the flu is really bad this year. Thank you so much for a remedy that actually STOPS THE COUGH! Thank you!!!!
January 3rd, 2013 at 7:36 pm
I Have had a terrible cold and cough for 3 weeks now and nothing has seemed to help. I came across your recipe and decided to give it a try. WOW! it worked instantly! I have not coughed in almost 2 hours! Thank you so much for sharing this great recipe with us. I will never use an over the counter again. Your recipe will be used in my house for years to come. Happy New Year!
January 4th, 2013 at 11:41 pm
This works!!! Not only does it help with cough, but also sore throat and stuffy nose. I can breathe better as soon as I take it. My picky 19 yr old loves it, too. I take a tablespoon before bed every night, plus more when needed. Thanks so much!
January 6th, 2013 at 10:48 am
DO NOT GIVE THIS TO CHILDREN UNDER AGE 1
Honey shouldn’t be given to children that are less than a year old. They can get infant botulism. Not sure if someone else had mentioned this, but just want to spread the word.
Other than that I just tried it, and can already feel some relief :) Thanks!!
January 6th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Could I use just a pinch of Cayenne pepper? I for one do not like spicy things and my 8 year old is the same way.My daughter coughs and coughs so much that she makes herself sick. I am going to try to make this for her. Thank you for sharing. :-)
January 6th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
sure, try it with a little less. the other ingredients are very important and helpful.
take good care, Nancy
January 7th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
I have my usual winter tickle in my throat, which usually turns to bronchitis. I found this on Pintrest and so glad. My first batch I only used 1/2 the cayenne. But now I am using the correct amount. It works, and I finally got some sleep last night. I actually like the taste..lol
Thanks so much for sharing this.
January 8th, 2013 at 7:17 am
Can you make it without vinegar? What would I use insread? My son is allergic to vinegar!
January 8th, 2013 at 7:40 am
I finally made this about a week ago and it works great. I re-posted it today. Thanks for sharing this awesome alternative to OTC medicines. Have a blessed day, Nancy.
January 8th, 2013 at 7:53 am
Hi Leigh,
Apple Cider Vinegar is really an important component of the remedy.
You could try lemon juice, which has its benefits.
Nancy
January 8th, 2013 at 9:32 pm
Can’t wait to try this..have had a ” hac.king” cough I can’t get rid of. Friends have told me its something going around and the cough lasts for weeks! I’m going to make it now!
January 9th, 2013 at 8:54 am
Thanks for the great recipe! My sister is allergic to one of the main ingredients in cold medicine so I will definitely be forwarding this to her.
January 9th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Made my first batch Hoo-wee! Feeling better already.
January 9th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Hi Nancy, I saw this just now and am so excited to try it ASAP. I have had cough, cold and headache for the past 2 weeks. I hope and pray that this will help by the Grace of God Almighty.
January 10th, 2013 at 7:42 am
Hi Nasreen, I hope that this will help you, as it has helped many! Take good care, Nancy
January 11th, 2013 at 12:19 am
Is it possible for this to work just as good without the cayenne? For those of us that may be allergic to the red pepper..
January 11th, 2013 at 5:57 am
Belinda, some of our commenters have substituted cinnamon for the cayenne and reported good results. I personally have not tried that, but it may help you. It would be worth trying.
Best wishes, Nancy
January 11th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
I have the ingredients but have not had to make up any yet! Will have to buy some more honey though because I keep eating it, lol! Thanks for this!
January 11th, 2013 at 10:05 pm
I made this today bc both my kids have really bad coughs. I gave them each a dose & they promptly vomited. BUT they feel much better lol. We also made our own elderberry syrup too!
January 11th, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Checked with my pediatrician today and he said it was ok to take this remedy while I am breastfeeding. So glad I found this, as I am suffering from the flu and it is miserable when you cannot take any over the counter meds (and I really try to avoid it anyway). Thank you for this wonderful natural remedy, mixed it up and it has worked beautifully!
January 12th, 2013 at 2:40 am
Thanks Nancy. The flu season is upon us so I mixed up a batch since I have been under the weather. I shared this on facebook because the flu season has hit hard here in texas and lots of my friends are sick. Thanks this stuff tastes pretty good.
January 12th, 2013 at 5:22 am
Jennifer, Ellen, and Chris–The flu season seems to have hit really hard everywhere. I am so glad that the remedy has helped you. Some people dislike its taste, but I’m lke Chris–I think it tastes pretty good! Take good care, Nancy
January 13th, 2013 at 10:10 am
My daughter shared this post as I had been suffering from a hacking cough for weeks. Sucked on all of Halls I could but never stopped the cough. I tried this mixture with a little twist. At the time I was out of apple cider vinegar but substituted some Jameson’s instead! Very smooth, great taste, the cayenne really warms the throat and it stays with you. After just a few doses, I was sleeping through the night and have yet to suck on a cough drop! I remember the l-h-w days as well but this one works better. PS I did mix up my next batch with the vinegar and it still works great. Thanks for the recipe!
January 13th, 2013 at 11:16 am
Yumm! I just mixed up a batch, except in place of the water I did half bourbon and half lemon juice. (This was before I saw the people posting about lemon-bourbon in their old remedies!) I’m not feeling awful at the moment, just that “something may be coming on” feeling I get to used to at this time of year, so we’ll see what happens!
I also warmed the mixture for just a tiny bit in the microwave before shaking it–15 seconds or so–to warm the honey enough to mix in well. (Our house is pretty cold.)
It’s a little twisted, isn’t it, to be eagerly anticipating the next real cold to see how this works in a serious situation? I’m so weird…
Thank you very much for this!
–Jenn
January 13th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
How often do you take this in a day? I’m wondering if it’s possible to ingest too much in a 24-hr period?
January 13th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
[...] http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted in DIY, health and tagged cough remedy on January 13, 2013 by muskegonvegan. [...]
January 13th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Hi Michele-
I have taken 4 doses in a day, a tablespoon at a time, spaced about 4 hours a part. I don’t think that would be harmful in any way, and so far, no one has reported any discomfort from having ingested too much. Like many things in life, being moderate, and mindful of your body is the best way to proceed. Take good care, Nancy
January 13th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Wonderful Stuff! My son has had a terrible cough and he was exhausted from it..Took this and is now sleeping ..Haven’t heard a peep out of him! Maybe I should wake him up or at least check on him!LOL!
This is great Thanks so much! This is a keeper!
January 13th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
[...] time. The Good Food Matters blog (one I shall be visiting again with some frequency!) had this nice recipe for a kid-friendly home remedy, involving apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger, and cayenne. (Well, sort of kid-friendly–the [...]
January 13th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
[...] Food Matters: Home Remedy (h/t Laura [...]
January 13th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
WOW my husband said that it was hot going down… Cayenne Pepper Right? Mine came out brown not orange… Did I do something wrong?
January 13th, 2013 at 8:25 pm
The vinegar is there to keep it from going bad right?
January 13th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Carol the brown may have been from the honey or a dark Cayenne
January 13th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Thank you for the wonderful recipes.
January 13th, 2013 at 9:16 pm
I have been adding 1-2 tablespoons of this combo to a cup of hot water in the am to warm me up and wake me up. I will mix up a batch to keep around and take next time I feel a bug coming on.
January 14th, 2013 at 5:03 am
[...] …with love, [ME] *Recipe adapted from Good Food Matters [...]
January 14th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
I got a terrible cold over the holiday’s..I mixed up a batch of this for the first time and let me tell you…It was amazing how well it worked..made me feel better then any over the counter cough medicine I have ever taken. From now on this is my go-to mix for a cold and cough…Thank you
January 14th, 2013 at 5:44 pm
This is a great article. I have also heard you can add garlic to these tonics to make them more potent. It would probably taste very different though.
January 14th, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Hi there. Just made up a batch but it was quite watery. I used the measurements exactly. Not sure why mine was watery. Wonder if it will thicken over time. Any clues?
January 14th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
It remains fairly watery–even though it’s called a syrup. You’ve made it correctly.
January 15th, 2013 at 7:15 am
I have a recipe of sorts to share of a cough syrup that I made for the first time in Colorado in the 70’s. It has worked great for my family ever since. It too will keep in the refrigerator as long as you need it. Dissolve horehound candy in a little of the whiskey or lemon juice. Mix equal parts honey and lemon juice, then add a quarter cup whiskey (I usually use bourbon), along with the dissolved candy, and shake to mix. I am thankful to have another recipe for a cold/flu remedy, because a lot of my family don’t care for the taste of horehound. Thank you soooo much for sharing this!!! <3
January 15th, 2013 at 7:30 am
Any idea how this would work with other kinds of pepper besides cayenne? I’m in Korea and cayenne is impossible to find over here, but I long for something like your recipe the next time I get hit with a nasty Asian cold!
January 15th, 2013 at 7:44 am
HI Elizabeth–I would try a red chili pepper commonly found in Korea. I know they have a wonderful red chili paste used in cooking—that might do the trick.
Hi Olivia—thanks for sharing your cough syrup remedy with horehound–I had forgotten about it’s healing qualities.
January 15th, 2013 at 8:31 am
I was wondering about giving this to a 3 month old. She has a terrible cough and the docs won’t give her anything. Except for the cayenne I don’t think it would bother her but thought I’d ask before I give the article to my daughter-in-law.
January 15th, 2013 at 8:36 am
Hi Neva, I cannot recommend it for a three month old. I have no experience in these matters, but I’m afraid it would be too harsh, even in tiny doses.
And, more importantly, honey should not be given in any form to children under the age of one year, due to infant botulism risk.
January 15th, 2013 at 11:39 am
I am 72 years old and my mom made this for me when I was little. She called it Ginger tea.
January 15th, 2013 at 3:11 pm
In lieu of filling a $100+ costly prescrption (with insurance), I decided to try this all natural cough remedy my daughter sent (from Pinterest). On my second batch and working extremely well.
January 15th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Would it still work without the cayenne? We have cayenne allergies in my house
January 15th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
HI Kaylee, Some people have reported substituting cinnamon for cayenne with good results.
January 15th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
Is there something that Cayenne can be substituted with. No one in my house will use something with this much pepper kick.
January 16th, 2013 at 3:04 am
I am new to the food allergy of cayenne pepper!? Can you substitute chipotles (smoked jalapenos) for a creep to heat spice?
January 16th, 2013 at 3:15 am
I am amazed how many food allergies that are out there,cooking for people around the world is always a challenge! I learn something new everyday..and I would love your Grandma’s recipe for anything…Keep old recipes Alive! ThankYouVeryMuch!~Sabrina~
January 16th, 2013 at 6:16 am
Sabrina, My brother is allergic to cayenne, but it extends to all peppers in the capsicum family. So I don’t know a good substitute for it. Some of our readers have reported using cinnamon instead of cayenne with success.
January 16th, 2013 at 7:49 am
[...] [...]
January 16th, 2013 at 8:30 am
Thanks for Tip
January 16th, 2013 at 8:32 am
I have found that Sambucol (which is an Elderberry syrup) can be used for children and adults. The syrup is best, but they have a tablet that melts in the mouth. Perhaps you have a mixture involving Elderberries that can be made at home. If not, Sambucol can be purchased at health food stores. It can be used for small children when colds or flu is beginning. Trust me it works quite well. I and my grandchildren have been using it for years. Definitely will be using this recipe as well. Thanks for listening.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:27 am
I am a BELEIVER in this…however, we call it “Snake Oil” lol. I am very prone to getting bronchitis~(read drs visit, copay, chest xray, steriod shot, anitbotic, cough syrup, etc.)..so I mixed up a double batch. I took a tablspoon three times a day. Two days later I was back up and running. This little concoction saved me over $100! Now, I take some everyday for preventive. If nothing else comes from Pinterest…this was worth every minute I’ve wasted looking at silly posters!
January 16th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
…ok after having the viral cough and cold for a month i am giving this a try, just made my first batch and had my first spoonful, not bad tasting at all considering i hate spicy hot stuff, i will report back in a few days to let you know if it has worked, i hope it does i’m sick of being ill!!!
January 18th, 2013 at 6:43 am
[...] Sore Throat Home Remedy [...]
January 18th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
This is so good.I am always searching for good post that are natural and help others. I just shared it on my blog and pin it on my board.
you can view it at my blog and let me know how you like it. http://getintopinning.blogspot.com
Thanks Rabzee
January 18th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Not sick, nor do I want to be, but happy to have another “healthy” alternative in the medicine chest if need be. Thinking I will add a few drops of Young Living’s “Thieves” essential oil … has cinnamon, cloves, lemon in it … proven to even zap MRSA! Thanks for sharing!
January 21st, 2013 at 2:41 am
Couldn’t sleep tonight with my sore throat. I literally just made this concoction in my kitchen. My throat feels a hundred times better! Thank you so much for the post!
January 21st, 2013 at 7:48 am
I got a cold and I never get sick. Had all the ingredients in my kitchen. I used local unfiltered honey and regular apple cider vinegar. IT WORKS! Thank you for this post, it has helped me feel better fast!
January 22nd, 2013 at 2:59 pm
[...] Number 5: Cayenne/Vinegar/Honey Concoction. I need a good name for this one, but for all you Pinterest Pinners, this one may sound familiar. [...]
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Literally cleared up the phlegm in my throat that I have been suffering with for weeks. THANK YOU!
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:39 pm
I started feeling like I was coming down with a cough/cold yesterday. Did a Pinterest search and found this wonderful recipe. I just quickly mixed some up and popped two teaspoons right away. I cannot believe it but I felt better almost instantly!! This is great. It smells worse than it tastes and I wholeheartedly agree with an earlier comment that I’d prefer the taste of this ANY day over a cough medicine. I’m a believer! Thanks SO MUCH for the recipe!!
January 24th, 2013 at 8:37 am
[...] Home Remedy [...]
January 24th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Love that I can just throw this together as needed! Worked WONDERS for my upper respiratoy/sinus infection! Thank you so much! ;)
January 24th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Made up a batch and have taken my first Tablespoon. I’ll admit it was spicy! I used less water and more water. I swished my mouth with a bit of iced tea afterwards, but didn’t swallow it. Ive had a terrible sore throat for two days, need to cough but won’t because of the pain, neck/nodes are painful /sensitive up to my ears and my ears are bothering me. I can already feel this working in my ears(is that possible?).
Thanks for sharing!
January 26th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
THANKS FOR THIS IDEA
I need it right now. Just need Cider Vinegar. I have White Vinegar if that will work? Plus you mean Cayenne Pepper ? Just want to be specific for us novas’.
I have a cold and cough, so will be putting this to the test rather than use that night time stuff every night.
This along with Vick’s on my chest should kick it!
Susan Pitzer
January 26th, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Just trying to get rid of my cough now!!! Will be making this up!!! My cough is killing me and my sore throat is coming back..Thanks!
January 27th, 2013 at 6:37 am
Hi Susan, Apple Cider Vinegar is what really works–I can’t vouch for how white vinegar would do in its place. And, yes, I do mean Cayenne pepper.
Take good care–Nancy
January 27th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
I just mixed up and took a dose of your elixer. So far, so good. This cold hit me like a ton of bricks and the cough is aweful!!! I’ll keep this recipe written down for future use!!
January 28th, 2013 at 7:53 am
THanks for sharing. This remedy works great and taste much better than yucky cough syrup!
Thanks!
January 28th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
My Great Grandfather was a believer of home remedies over prescription drugs. When we were small and had a sore throat he would mix up lemon juice and honey, very soothing to a sore throat. I’m giving this a try, thank you.
January 28th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, as I’ve been sick and it has really helped me. I loved it so much, that I shared your post with my readers… hope you don’t mind, as I tried to give you full credit.
A Spicy Boy, A Cat, and My Fat Ass: Awesome Natural Cold & Flu Remedy!
January 28th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
HI Kimberly,
I don’t mind at all–we want to help as many people suffering with nasty colds as possible! thanks–Nancy
January 28th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Hello, I apologize if you already answered this question, but with so many comments I had no chance of reading them all….
I made this over the weekend and tasted it, since I was making it for my 15 year old daughter. Very quickly I realized there was no way she would take it. What do you think will happen if you have less spice in it??? Probably won’t work as well huh?
January 28th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Hi Jesika,
some people have substituted cinnamon for the cayenne pepper and reported here with good results. you might want to try that. take good care, Nancy
January 28th, 2013 at 8:21 pm
Sore throat started 2 days ago and turned to cold congestion yesterday. Throat lozenges do little and seem to make my head feel stuffy. 10 min ago I swallowed a spoonful using your recipe to a T. The cayenne was about 10 yrs old because we don’t use it much. Not too bad going down. My throat feels better and my sinuses are a little looser. I just sent my husband out to get fresh cayenne for a new batch for my next dose. Can’t wait to fry those buggers. I,m definitely feeling more energized and less stuffy. Thank you dear. This is a keeper for me.
January 29th, 2013 at 9:13 pm
[...] it from my phone!) – fixed the hem of a shirt by hand (just an undershirt I wear to work/bed) – a honey ginger cayenne cough syrup – found on Pinterest! – helped Ardeo make dinner, which included mashed potatoes. We do not [...]
January 30th, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Could you put a little whisky with this to help you sleep or would that not be good to add whisky to all the other ingredients? Thank you
February 1st, 2013 at 8:36 pm
How long does this keep?
February 1st, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Dallas–if you follow the recipe, the remedy will keep, unrefrigerated, in a clean jar with a lid for quite a while. You’d probably use it up within a few days. It’s fine to refrigerate it if you prefer.
But, basically, there is nothing in it that will go bad.
February 1st, 2013 at 11:27 pm
I just made a batch and was wondering how often you can take it? Would you go every four hours like a prescription cough syrup or can you take it when you break out into a rib cracking cough?
February 2nd, 2013 at 6:18 am
Leah, I would take it as needed: a tablespoonful every four hours is fine, but it is okay to take it sooner, if you feel’s necessary. Take good care, Nancy
February 3rd, 2013 at 11:51 am
Thank you for this!!! I’ve not been sick yet this season, but have went through a small batch I made and kept in the fridge for days a feel a bit run down or am chilled from being outside enjoying winter.
I typically add a large spoonful to an herbal tea (ie lemon ginger or Roobois Chai)– it gives it a little added kick and a sense of warmth. I just made up my second batch to keep in the fridge and added a bit of Penzey’s tung hing cinnamon too. Tastes great!
February 4th, 2013 at 7:57 pm
Holy cats — amazing!!!!!!!!!! My nose quit running – and I can BREATHE!!!!!
Thank you a million times :)
February 5th, 2013 at 6:03 am
i have had a cough for 3 weeks now and have taken all kinds of ove the counter medicines. think ill try this. because I hav gotten worse if.anything. and I’m giving.up.hope. ill let u know if this works for me.
February 5th, 2013 at 11:58 pm
[...] found this recipe through Pinterest here MAGGIE’S COUGH REMEDY¼ teaspoon Cayenne¼ teaspoon Ginger1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an [...]
February 7th, 2013 at 12:37 am
I have been using a slight variation of this and making a hot tea with it at night… local honey, bragg’s acv, ginger, cayenne, true sweet cinnamon(not the kind you get at the grocery store, had to order it online but I got over a pound of it organic too on amazon) and the juice of half a fresh lemon. Put all those in a mug and poor boiling water in it. Not only does it help with colds but it’s really good for inflammation (joints and skin) and for digestion. Also a teaspoon or two of braggs acv will can help with stubborn heartburn. This concoction is amazing the only thing is if you’re going to take it like I do on a regular basis or a spoonful of honey and cinnamon daily you should look into getting “true sweet cinnamon” also known as Sri Lankan cinnamon. The cinnamon that we are all used to getting in the grocery store actually has naturally occuring high levels of coumadin (blood thinner) which as you can imagine can have a detrimental effect on some people. True sweet cinnamon has a negligable amount. I found this out the hard way.
February 7th, 2013 at 5:33 am
Made up one batch of this and used it all fantastic stuff and tastes lovely . It has cut through my catarrh no end. Just made a bigger lot now thanks.
February 7th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Thank you for this, I made it for my husband and it worked better than any of the overpriced cough syrup at the store
thank you
thank you
thank you
February 7th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Hi Lynda and Angel–you are both welcome. I’m so glad that the remedy helped! thanks for the great report. My best to you–Nancy
February 7th, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Love the idea of the items used can be organic and it is healthy but how long can you keep this after you mix it?
Thanks for the fabulous tip and for sharing.
February 8th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Because I’m allergic to apples, do you think I could substitute the cider vinegar with a different type of vinegar? Thanks!
February 9th, 2013 at 12:12 am
My hubby has the flu and I think I have caught it or have very bad bronchitus….I have read through your post that it works for your normal cold….anyone have any luck with it other than the cold? Could it help with the cough from bronchitus/flu?
February 9th, 2013 at 6:07 am
Ginny, I believe that some people have reported relief from coughing due to flu in the comments thread. It would worth a try. Take good care, Nancy
February 9th, 2013 at 10:28 pm
Honey: raw honey sometimes referred to as extra virgin has not been filtered or heated . Directly from the hive containing all the minerals and enzyms gathered by the bees. Local harvest means it will contain local pollen which will help to releave allergy symtoms.
“Bacteria can not live where honey is and real honey never goes bad”!
Less likely to find this on a grocery store shelf.
February 10th, 2013 at 9:22 am
this is true, Grama, Az–thank you for your comment. That’s why it is best to try to buy locally, at your area farmers market, or know a beekeeper!
February 10th, 2013 at 11:56 am
I just read through all the posts, wow, so many success stories. Yay!! I have had a cough for 6 days & now deep in my chest. So I made up a batch of this special cough remedy with 1/4 tsp. cocoa powder. The cough stopped. The taste wasn’t hot, it was pretty good. The cocoa must of calmed it down. Next time I won’t add the cocoa. The whole purpose is to open up your head, chest and slow the coughing, right? Well, maybe the cocoa stopped the coughing but what I need is a productive cough. I hope the next batch will do what I need for it to do. Thank you so much, goodfoodmatters, for sharing.
February 10th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
I’ve given this to my 6 year old who had a very croupy cough when nothing else would work..and it knocked it right out, he was good as new about 2 days later. I didn’t feel it would do any harm being as it’s all natural and I was right..it helped him tremendously! Thank you so much for this recipe!
February 11th, 2013 at 6:57 am
I was coughing so hard I thought I would vomit. Hit Pinterest to ind a homemade remedy and the relief was instant! Thank you!
February 11th, 2013 at 10:04 pm
I work in a school cafeteria and there was a nasty bug going around, One of our younger girls seems to have this nagging cough. I made a double batch of your elixir and everyone in the kitchen tried it with great results. The younger girl I was referring to asked me today if I could please mix her up a batch of that “voodoo” medicine! LOL Thank-you for sharing this recipe!
February 12th, 2013 at 5:09 am
great story, Angelina! “voodoo” or not, it really has helped a whole lot of people! thanks for sharing, Nancy
February 12th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
When I get a cold I get a horrible horrible cough every time. I have lupus and being sick is rough for me. Nothing seems to help, and i try to stay away from drugs as I feel i take far too many for te lupus. So when I came across this a few months ago I pinned it, and yesterday I was coughing so hard I couldn’t even eat or drink anything, let alone breath. I mixed this up and haven’t coughed in almost 24 hrs. It wears off after about 6 hrs so I just take a little bit more. But it really is amazing. This stuff is amazing!! I will be using this from now on. Thank you so much!
February 15th, 2013 at 11:15 am
I made this for my husband who cannot use OTC or prescribed cough syrups due to atrial fib, at first he was hesitant due to taste, but now, when he feels a sinus drainage cough, chest cough coming on he says make me a batch of cough stuff. It made him a believer.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:40 am
Just came across this pin and just when I needed it. I just started getting this hacking cough. I went to my kitchen and whipped up a batch immediately. I just took it and WOW, yummy! To me it tastes like that Mexican candy, pelaluca or Lucas that tamarind spicy candy. I stopped coughing immediately. Whew, this is great. Thank you for this post.
February 17th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Just made this for my 5 year old. Had a chaser of milk ready to calm the spice, but he said it wasn’t too bad. (Have a feeling my 5 year old will be easier to convince than my husband!) Here’s to hoping. I’m so glad to have found this!
February 18th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Found this through a link on Barefeet int he Kitchen. This remedy worked great for two sinus infections and three hacking coughs. We all slept quietly and it opened up nasal passages as well. Even the four year old tolerated it, despite a comment of “yukky.” Like the previous poster, a quick chaser solved that. Great home remedy – way better than chemical-laden store meds. Thanks to you and Barefeet in the Kitchen!
February 19th, 2013 at 1:39 am
[...] Foto dan resep diambil dari: Maggie’s Cough Remedy [...]
February 20th, 2013 at 12:33 am
Wow… I took one spoonful and HALLELUJAH!!! Instant relief… I can breathe again. Even my ears popped, both of them, for the first time. Thank you for posting this. I’ve never been so happy to blow my nose!
February 20th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I grew-up mixing lime juice, cayanne, salt & honey as another quick remedy but this one can stand a longer shelf-life whereas the latter had to be freshly made. Thank you!
February 21st, 2013 at 7:42 pm
I can’t do cayenne – allergy … will it work without?
February 21st, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey mixed together has a lot of other benefits too…I mix it together in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator and take a couple of tablespoons a day. It helps with achy joints and arthritis type ailments. It’s also good for digestion and metabolism…Might have to try this recipe, too!
February 21st, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Hi Penny—some of our readers have substituted cinnamon for cayenne and reported very good results. My best to you, Nancy
February 22nd, 2013 at 5:07 am
While in massage school, the Dr. recommended that we have one tbsp of apple cider vinegar in one tbsp of honey, mixed with 1 cup of hot or cold water. I grew to love it, even though I hated honey. Vinegar detoxifies and honey stabilizes the blood sugar. We needed it for all of the work we’d be doing, specific to the joints. I had never been so healthy in my life as that year.
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Hello!! I love this mixture and I am wondering if it has worked for bronchitis?? I can’t get to the doctor as they are booked and won’t fit me in so I am hopeful this will work or if you have another recipe for a natural bronchitis remedy!
Thank you in advance, jennifer
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Hi Jennifer, Try this for you bronchitis–I think that it could help. Nancy
February 24th, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Some fresh squeezed lemon juice works well in this concoction. Which means a little more honey.
February 25th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
while I see possibilities for this remedy, being blessed with a rare disease, I am unable to ingest anything hot or spicy. The vinegar could be pushing the envelope – but it sounds like a great remedy and being one who uses the voice to make a living, it would be wonderful
I remember three home remedies – the one being whisky, lemon juice, and pasteurized honey;
a second involved two man’s handkerchiefs around my neck, the one wrung out in cold water, the other in water as hot as my grandfather thought I could stand. I am not sure which was closest to my neck after all these years, but I know it relieved the sore throat and cough — anyone who can tell me which one to put on first?
the third involved a mentholated rub on the throat with a wool sock pinned around the throat and neck, over the rub; worked well.
However my favourite remedy was from Nova Scotia, and incorporated lemon, honey,and garlic, perhaps other ingredients.
The RSM’s wife, my best friend’s mom, kept a pot of this mixed in the fridge during cold season, and a small pot of it on the back of the stove — if solidified, she could heat it a bit. Having a cold and a cough was almost worth it for a spoonful of that magic elixir: it soothed sore, raw throats, cleared congested heads and noses, and calmed a self-perpetuating cough – with none of the side effects of dextramorphen-containing commercial products.
If anyone happens to know of this elixir,or anything close to it, please… and please again
February 25th, 2013 at 9:03 pm
Honey and cinnamon have amazing health properties
when taken together
kerri
February 26th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
[...] duration of my cold, it has given relief to the symptoms, which is also quite nice. Here is the link to the original recipe. It’s a combo of cayenne pepper, powdered ginger, apple cider [...]
February 27th, 2013 at 7:16 pm
THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST THING YET! This is second time I have tried within the last 4 months. WONDERFUL!
February 28th, 2013 at 1:58 am
I truly wonder, how are we supposed to take care of our children, if we are so scared of naturally healing them with these remedies? I have not yet read one that is “safe” for a child. I have a year and 2 months, 28 pounds, breastfed daughter, and we’ve been on a persistent cold for two months now… I’ve given her way too much medicine, and am sick of not finding a natural remedy that does not alarm me with warnings. It’s all on our own risk, but we need to find more natural remedies and less fears on harming our immune-acquiring children, to heal them without any poisonous man-made “medicine”… it does not support any feeling of “trust”, if we always warn parents to be careful on using NATURAL remedies. :(
February 28th, 2013 at 4:28 am
Sagiri, I sympathize with you. When I learned about this remedy, I learned that it was designed and prescribed for adults. My experience has been only with adults–not children. It would be wrong of me to recommend it for the young ones. I am just an ordinary person, like you, trying to find the best ways to take care of ourselves. And, I wouldn’t want to do harm. That said, I know that we are a fear-based society in many ways. Would a small dose of this remedy help your daughter? I cannot say–I don’t have the experience. The conventional wisdom warns against giving honey to children under a year of age. Your daughter is over a year. Would the cayenne be too much for her young palate? Maybe yes, maybe no. If you read through the many comments here, you’ll find those from parents who have given small dosages to their kids, with success. I wish you all the best. Nancy
February 28th, 2013 at 11:58 am
I grew FRESH GINGER last year and have some to share if you would like. It makes this recipe OVER THE MOON good. Powdered ginger just doesn’t cut it in my book! Just sayin’…. Pax, Louise Ann
February 28th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Impressive, Louise Ann! I’ve never known anyone to successfully grow ginger. I’ll bet it makes the remedy (and anything else it flavors) really vibrant. How to get some from you…?
February 28th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Just made up a batch for my husband. He has been coughing for a few days and the OTC meds have not done the trick. I tasted it and it is spicy! But it felt good going down my throat. Now to give it to the big baby! Lol
March 1st, 2013 at 7:56 pm
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March 4th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
I was sooo glad to find this on Pinterest!!! My husband has had a “cold” for 3 days and has coughed all night for 2 nights (and coughed hard!). After I found this this morning, I mixed up a batch and gave him one tablespoon. It worked like magic. The cough quieted down in minutes, his throat feels much better and he’s convinced this really works! Thank you for sharing!
March 5th, 2013 at 11:39 am
I made a triple batch of this last fall when I had a sore throat and a cold. I kept it at room temperature in my kitchen window until I just used the last of it on my most recent illness. It kept very well and did not go bad at all.
March 6th, 2013 at 7:52 pm
I just made my first batch. I’m suffering from a horrible sinus cold. Going into the second week with this! Hope this brew works, I HAVE to go back to work!!! Lol
March 8th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
[...] be excited when you hear it has both ginger & cayenne in it. Yum! I found the original recipe here on Good Food Matters and it goes a little something like [...]
March 10th, 2013 at 10:11 pm
Nancy, I just read through almost ALL 600 comments!! Thank you for posting this! My hubs is on the tail end of a respiratory infection and surprise surprise, my daughter and I have started with coughs, congestion and fever. I saw this on Pinterest and figured, what the heck. I hate taking conventional medicine. I had just thrown away an old jar of ginger powder, BUT, I did equal parts of the cayenne, cinnamon, dark dutch processed cocoa powder, then the ACV, honey and water. The cinnamon and cocoa made it MUCH more palatable. It packed some heat but my post nasal drip is considerably better, I have no urge to cough, and I just blew my nose and I can now breathe through it! I’m curious to see how long it will last through the night and if my daughter wakes up coughing I will give her this instead of her inhaler and OTC meds.
March 11th, 2013 at 2:58 am
I made some — just now. I had everything even the raw honey but I had to sub. the cayenne for paprika. I ended up adding a little more water, but otherwise… THANK-YOU!!!
March 12th, 2013 at 12:19 am
Heard my little one start coughing from the other room and did a quick Pinterest search for cough relief. Found this site. THANK GOODNESS!! Just tried this with my 3 year old. Used 2 ml and gave it to her in plastic syringe. It does have a bit of a kick so I had her chase it with some orange juice. Even though she was still trying to play it up and make herself cough; within 20 minutes she was sleep and I have not heard a peep from her. THANK YOU!!!!
March 12th, 2013 at 5:13 am
[...] Maggie’s Cough Remedy [...]
March 12th, 2013 at 8:04 am
[...] #7 - The Common Cold Home Remedy [...]
March 12th, 2013 at 9:30 am
All winter, I’ve dosed myself with hot green tea with honey, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne. I love it, and it’s most effective, but the flavor’s not for everyone! Your remedy would go down much faster, and so be preferable for the rest of my family. Thanks!!
March 14th, 2013 at 11:47 am
[...] Nancy calls this Maggie’s Cough Remedy and you can see all the proportions and details here. [...]
March 14th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
This is a really bad remedy it made my mom’s and my throat burn. I really don’t like it and I follow the receipt to the dot
March 15th, 2013 at 8:37 am
Just made a batch for sick hubby. Told him home remedy that had great raves & hopefully help with his horrible sore throat & hacking cough. He took dose & said, “You sure this isn’t someones idea of a JOKE?” I laughed so hard I cried!!! Praying now that it works so he can eat his words LOL. Thanks for sharing – I look forward to checking out more on your site.
March 19th, 2013 at 12:50 am
[...] coughing here is a great recipe: http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ or this one [...]
March 19th, 2013 at 8:31 am
[...] sore throats for adults, I tried this concoction that I found on Pinterest, and it is the best sore throat remedy I’ve ever [...]
March 19th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
I don’t have any ginger. Does it really need it?
March 20th, 2013 at 1:18 am
Hi Nancy,
This recipe looks a God send! As a “new” step mum, the young fellow has a terrible sinus problem resulting in sore, itchy throats causing a cough. He sings constantly and is the lead musical of his final year of high school. So I’ve been in need of a quick solution. I’ve added a clove of garlic to it. I love the added benefits garlic has.
He’s desperate and willing to give anything ago, so here we go with your mixture.
Thank you SO much for sharing. Our winter here in Australia is on its way & have been told it will be our worse cold and flu season yet.
Love your daffodil, we can’t grow them in Queensland unless I refrigerate the bulbs first, & then the success rate is slim.
Regards
Sheryl
March 20th, 2013 at 4:15 am
HI Nichole–The ginger does really help. You could try it without it, and I think that the combination of cayenne, cider vinegar, and honey will do good work. Nancy
March 20th, 2013 at 4:16 am
Best wishes for good health in Queensland, Sheryl. Spring is on its way here, with more daffodils. :)
March 20th, 2013 at 10:14 pm
hi im 13 and don’t like spicy food but i am sick plugged up and really hoarse throat can i make it less spicy will it still work? Thanks!
March 21st, 2013 at 4:48 am
Hi katly, if you are worried about it being too spicy, you can cut back a tiny bit—but know that the cayenne really helps open things up. some people have substituted cinnamon for the cayenne and reported good results. I haven’t tried it myself, though. Take good care, Nancy
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:39 am
I am going to try this, but what is the dosage? 1 tablespoon?
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:58 pm
Going to give this a shot, but substitute cinnamon for the cayenne due to a capcacin allergy. Hope it works, I could really use it and I refuse to buy artificial medicine unless absolutely necessary.
March 24th, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Wow I tried this and it helped almost immediately can’t say I am a fan of the flavor but it tastes better than regular cou syrup!😃
March 27th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
[...] can find the ingredient list for the above concoction at this link: Good Food Matters » Blog Archive » Home Remedy. It is say to be a potent remedy to some of the ails of winter: sore throat, cough, congestion. [...]
March 28th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
My husband and daughter, both had nasty coughs and sore throats. I mixed up a batch and within a few days both were feels great. A few later, my husband started feeling bad again and asked me to mix up another batch. That in itself says alot becuase he hates saying that he feels bad much less taking anything for it. Thank you so much for posting your remedy.
March 29th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
I just happened to stubble across this and have just started making some home made things. I know this is probably a stupid question that I should know the answer to but I will ask any way. Is that cayenne pepper (like chili powder) and is the ginger also like a ginger root powder. I have never bought ginger or cayenne powders before so I wanted to check before I go and buy these things. I think it sounds like a great alternative to all of that OTC crap on the market. I have never found anything that has helped with a bad cough.
March 30th, 2013 at 11:28 am
My hubs and I love this! We tried it back in Dec. when we were both sick and it was the only thing that really helped us. Now when we have just have even a tickle in our throats from anything, we use it. Actually he asks for it now more than I do! We have begun to like the taste and have increased the vinegar to 2 tbs. to help it all go down better. Thanks so much for this recipe, we haven’t been sick since Dec!
April 2nd, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Just made this for my parents who are both sick .. I told them that it would cure their colds and even help with moms snoring . They smelled it and refused to try it. So I Tryed it … At first it was an awful taste but now even my “stuffiness” had gone away…. They still won’t try it.!
April 3rd, 2013 at 3:19 am
Thank you very much.. I got healed just by looking at it.
April 4th, 2013 at 7:31 am
I made this back in February 2013 (2 months ago – it’s now April as I write this), stuck it in the refrigerator and forgot about it. In March I had neck surgery. My youngest son came down w/a nasty hacking cough & cold a week into my recovery. I found this and offered it to him (he’s 11) but he wouldn’t try it. My surgeon told me to try not to get sick because my immunity was down from having the surgery. Sooo – I started taking a tablespoon in the morn and eve before bed. A few days later I felt the sniffles come on so I increased how many times I take it to 4-5 times a day. Now I know because of the surgery I couldn’t swallow very well and was on a liquid diet for almost 7 days so in the beginning it was hard to discern if I was developing a cough but I can now tell you this. 4 days after my son got his nasty cough, my husband got it too – bad. He also turned his nose up at this concoction and still is hacking. I, however, 3 weeks after surgery, and having a minor red sore throat do not have a cough at all, just my occasional sniffle from allergies. I would like to add that I generally have a weak immune system and I usually get colds from my kids, but my colds typically always develop into a sinus infection. There is absolutely no indication of that right now! I am so pleased and relieved and my neck is healing wonderfully. I am firm believer in using this natural remedy even though my husband doesn’t! It’s a shame he wants to stay miserable. Oh well. So for anyone out there thinking about it, my advice is – just do it. Try it. That is if you have no aversions to the ingredients themself. Take it @ onset and beef it up during until your symptoms go away. You’all be thankful as I am that you did. A BIG THANKS!!!
April 4th, 2013 at 7:36 am
HI Debra, Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m so glad that the remedy helped you, and that you are recovering well from your surgery.
Take good care, Nancy
April 4th, 2013 at 7:38 am
Oh – I forgot to mention that I take medicine for acid reflux and none of the ingredients in this has affected that or made it worse.
April 4th, 2013 at 7:39 am
Thanks Nancy for everything! God bless!
April 4th, 2013 at 7:42 am
Thanks Nancy! God bless!
April 8th, 2013 at 10:15 am
[...] COUGH REMEDY¼ teaspoon Cayenne¼ teaspoon Ginger1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)2 Tablespoon Water1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee.Note: This is potent albeit watery syrup. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using.If you make this in small batches as the recipe is written, there is no need to refrigerate.If you prefer, you may refrigerate this. It keeps as long as you need it. I like to make small batches (it is so easy to mix up.) and use it up in a just a few days.IMPORTANT MESSAGE: This remedy and dosage are for adults. I have no personal experience giving this to children, and cannot recommend it for children. Many have reported on this site (see comments) that they have had great success administering the remedy in smaller doses to their kids. This is those parents personal choice, which I respect. If the remedy has helped their family, I am grateful. But it is not my recommendation. [...]
April 9th, 2013 at 6:01 am
[...] Homemade Cough Syrup from Good Food Matters [...]
April 12th, 2013 at 8:42 am
My daughter had the flu with an uncontrollable cough.
I read your recipe for the cough medicine. All I can say
Is thank you so much. It took 30 min. For it to kick in but
She fell asleep and slept through the whole night for the
First time in a week. When she woke up this am her fever
Has finally broke and she feels much better. Thank again
This really works :)
April 12th, 2013 at 10:17 am
[...] COUGH REMEDY¼ teaspoon Cayenne¼ teaspoon Ginger1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)2 Tablespoon Water1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee.Note: This is potent albeit watery syrup. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using.If you make this in small batches as the recipe is written, there is no need to refrigerate.If you prefer, you may refrigerate this. It keeps as long as you need it. I like to make small batches (it is so easy to mix up.) and use it up in a just a few days.IMPORTANT MESSAGE: This remedy and dosage are for adults. I have no personal experience giving this to children, and cannot recommend it for children. Many have reported on this site (see comments) that they have had great success administering the remedy in smaller doses to their kids. This is those parents personal choice, which I respect. If the remedy has helped their family, I am grateful. But it is not my recommendation. [...]
April 14th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
I just made and took this remedy about an hour ago. I have been ill 8 days with a horrid cough that keeps me awake at night. So far it is working. The tickle in my throat has stopped and I have very little coughing. The real test is if it will work tonight so I can sleep. I will let ya know how it works tomorrow.
April 15th, 2013 at 8:28 am
Just tried this! I am trying to avoid nasty chemicals found in most medicines. I have had a itchy/scratchy throat and a stuffed nostril for the past few days, and headaches/fatigue. I’ve been getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water, but I still wasn’t feeling well. Just made this concoction and WOWZA it’s got a zing to it! I had to microwave the mixture to get the honey to blend in. So far it feels great, but I don’t think it will actually “cure” whatever is making me sick – just treat the symptoms. Just like any cold, though, we can’t “cure” the virus, only treat the symptoms. Here’s hoping!
xo Kimmay
April 16th, 2013 at 8:15 am
im pregnant would this be ok for me to try? i don’t see why not but better safe than sorry :)
April 16th, 2013 at 9:41 am
HI eryn–
I don’t think that this will cause any harm at all.
April 16th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
I just made this I felt like a truck hit me this morning I am feeling better. I just started w a bad cough and feverish no sore throat but made me feel alot better ! I would NOT give this to children unless its diluted it sets your mouth on fire lol. Diluted I think it would be great
April 16th, 2013 at 2:10 pm
[...] COUGH REMEDY¼ teaspoon Cayenne¼ teaspoon Ginger1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)2 Tablespoon Water1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee.Note: This is potent albeit watery syrup. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using.If you make this in small batches as the recipe is written, there is no need to refrigerate.If you prefer, you may refrigerate this. It keeps as long as you need it. I like to make small batches (it is so easy to mix up.) and use it up in a just a few days.IMPORTANT MESSAGE: This remedy and dosage are for adults. I have no personal experience giving this to children, and cannot recommend it for children. Many have reported on this site (see comments) that they have had great success administering the remedy in smaller doses to their kids. This is those parents personal choice, which I respect. If the remedy has helped their family, I am grateful. But it is not my recommendation. [...]
April 16th, 2013 at 7:12 pm
Thanks will try! Worst year for allergies per news. I will mix together when it happens, I tried straight vinegar didnt work.
April 23rd, 2013 at 12:52 pm
I have to say that this stuff really works but it tastes disgusting! bleh! That is until today when I mixed up a new batch and tweeked the recipe a bit. Instead of 1 TBSP of ACV I only used 1/2 a tablespoon, also I added a teaspoon of sugar, and 2 TBSP honey. Taste is much better and should still have the same benefits.
April 25th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
I was wondering instead of using water could you use lemon juice?
April 26th, 2013 at 11:02 am
I just made this and it looks very watery not like syrup, i followed the instructions to a tee.
April 28th, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Great idea of using honey for dry cough. We Indians are using it but never had thought to add ginger and cayenne. It will definitely help to reduce dry cough.
Thanks for sharing!
April 30th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Ha, I just think it’s funny someone said it was a good marinade too! Makes sense! LOL!!!!! I’m definitely going to try this next time we need to get those naggy coughs out! Thx!
April 30th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Nancy, I took robitussin this morning and it tasted ‘terrible’…..this afternoon I resorted to your recipe and, so far, it’s working and the taste is not bad at all. If this helps, you’re a saint! Thank You!
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:47 pm
Thank you! I just made some and I actually can breathe through my nose after just taking it!
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:47 pm
Thank you! I just made some and I actually can breathe through my nose after just taking it!
May 6th, 2013 at 9:27 am
My mom has used this recipe for our family since I was a teen. I’m in my late 40’s now. It’s always been great for those coughs that just wouldn’t go away! It’s wonderful to see this posting!
May 8th, 2013 at 10:00 am
I cannot stand ginger. Is there something that might effectively replace it? I love your daffodil :-)
May 8th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Hi Sara,
Try a little cinnamon instead!
May 15th, 2013 at 1:43 am
Just made this. So useful as colds are currently sweeping our family. :) We make something similar to this, except its not so handy. :)
May 15th, 2013 at 6:46 am
[...] Maggie’s Cough Remedy consists of cayenne, ginger, cider vinegar, honey and water. How easy is that? I didn’t have the cayenne but settled for chili powder, which I think acts in the same way. As you can imagine, with the pepper and ginger, it’s spicy – but a sweet spicy. As the original recipe notes, it’s quite watery and the spices don’t completely dissolve, so you just shake it up each time you use it. I made a small batch in a small jelly jar and store it in the fridge. [...]
May 15th, 2013 at 2:05 pm
[...] and a dash of lazy. On the agenda for today: apple cider vinegar and lemon tea, a detox bath, and Maggie’s cough remedy! Share this:TwitterGoogle +1PinterestLike this:Like [...]
May 15th, 2013 at 9:40 pm
Would just like to say thanks,my husband has a very bad cough and sore throat and this worked right away.It is now a standard in our household. Wow great stuff
May 18th, 2013 at 5:26 am
Wow, absolutelybest remedy I’ve ever come across! , i and nothing i took helped. made this batch with fresh ginger last night, i thought I’d give it a try. Ive had this horrible cough for three and a half weeks, this immediately stopped my coughing. Thank you do much and God bless you!
May 18th, 2013 at 5:40 am
Hi Tina, Laura, and Rebecca–Thank you for your comments, and favorable report on the remedy. I am so glad that it helped you all. Take good care, Nancy
May 18th, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Thank you so much for the recipe! I knew there had to be one somewhere. This cough has worn me to a frazzle and I’ve not had energy to even look online. It is just as I expected. Easy, efficient and tasty!
May 19th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
WOW down the hatch it just went! SPICY! My throat feels numbed. Thanks for the recipe!
May 23rd, 2013 at 5:43 pm
[...] Good Food Matters [...]
May 25th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Amazing! Tastes good & works. Has to have numerous other health benefits.
May 25th, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Gonna try this next time one of is feeling under the weather
May 27th, 2013 at 9:25 am
Caution! Husband tried this remedy minus the water (he likes all the ingredients except the ginger but used it anyways). Now he has diarrhea, we are thinking it is the cayenne pepper but it might be the ginger or he might have something else we don’t know about?
May 28th, 2013 at 8:52 am
Hi, thanks for the recipe…….
My two grand kids are staying with me for a couple of weeks and wouldn’t you know both are sick. Ages 6 and 9′. Mixed up the brew and they seem surprising better. The 6 yr old has asthma and I was on my way to the drs but will re-evaluate this afternoon. Thanks
May 28th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
I was really excited to make and try this! I tried it and it helped me and cleared my sinuses and chest congestion. I made a batch for my boyfriend and he came down with hives! Not sure if it was the ingredients or he was just allergic to something in it! But he liked the taste of it going down.
May 29th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
I’ve had bronchitis/bronchial pneumonia at least twice just about every year since I was born. There isn’t an antibiotic out there that has been a truly effective treatment, so I have taken matters into my own hands and I have several things that help. Yours is only one of a few concoctions that actually work. Another is drinking a tea made from dried wild horseradish. Shave about a teaspoon of dried wild horseradish (must be wild. Cultivated horseradish isn’t strong enough.) into a large mug. Fill mug with hot water, cover and steep for about 10 minutes, then drink. You may add raw honey if you wish. It tastes awful but works wonders. Perhaps horseradish would work for those who can’t take cayenne pepper. Another one that works well is an old Doukhobor remedy. Take a handful of humbug candies (the darker, the better), smash up a bit and put in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add enough vodka to cover the candies by at least inch or two. Shake the mixture until all of the humbugs have dissolved. Add more humbugs until they will no longer dissolve in the vodka and you have a moderately thick syrup. Take a couple of spoonfuls to relieve your cough as necessary. As my brother says, “If it doesn’t work, you won’t care!”
June 1st, 2013 at 1:29 am
[...] Credit: http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ ‹ Natural Remedy for Allergies, Flu, Asthma, and Other Illnesses Posted in Allergies, [...]
June 1st, 2013 at 3:59 pm
I tried this and it really works. I think it helps get rid of the congestion also. Everyone I told about it thought it would be to spicy but it wasn’t. I highly recommend it.
June 2nd, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Makes a great deal of sense! My grandma used to make it so I am happy to get the recipe here. Thanks!
stohamy@hotmail.co
June 4th, 2013 at 1:14 am
Amazing I love it! Was desperate with my daughter last night as she lay awake coughing and coughing… What do you do! I said to her.. “Well we have tried everything how about I try the remedy I found on Pinterest” She agreed and we made a quick batch up..; She stopped coughing and was able to go to sleep!
Tonight both kids have had their dose and although they find it spicy we have a good laugh and they follow it will a big glass of water.. I am a very happy mum!
Thank you:-)
June 4th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Hi, I was wondering if you knew what I could sub the honey for as i am allergic.. would Agave nectar, maple syrup, or a simple syrup work as well?
June 5th, 2013 at 4:29 am
I would try it with maple syrup. take good care! Nancy
June 5th, 2013 at 11:46 pm
Wow I tried this recipe.. Im currently 38 weeks pregnant and have a c s sceduled for next week and have had a cold for a little over 2 weeks now and would love to not be coughing wgen they give me the spinal tap.. Could be bad so I just gave this a shot… Note to all readers have a glas of milk or orange juice on had because this packs a punch worse than mike tyson… I so badly hope this works cause im so sick of being sick. Thank you for posting this I will keep on it and maybe the cyane will send me into labor haha. Thank so much again.
June 6th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
My uncle gave me cayenne capsules once when I had strep throat. It knocked it right out. My stomach was a little upset, but I don’t react we’ll to peppers in any form anyway. In spite of that I would still recommend the cayenne for what ails you.
June 10th, 2013 at 6:20 am
My husband says if not all used for cough – “it will make a good BBQ sauce!”
June 11th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Hi, this recipe/ remedy sounds fantastic! I have struggled with allergies all summer long and was looking of something more natural to take the edge off and this seems great for me! I was wondering, however, about if this mixture would be okay for a woman who is breast-feeding? See, my stepmother (who is about 40) gave birth to her first child about 10 days ago and, after the stress of a long birthing process and inevitable C-Section, has contracted some sort of cold/ lung/ sinus infection that has made her pretty weak. My baby sister has not responded great to the OTC medications that my stepmother has tried taking and so she has planned to just power through it without any medication. I don’t want to see her in any more pain, but want to make sure that my sister is healthy as well. Do you know if this mixture is safe for a new mother to take while still breast-feeding?
Thanks for posting! And if its not safe for her, I will definitely try it for myself!
:-)
June 11th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
Hi Caroline–Your poor stepmother! I think that it would be safe for her to take. These are all natural ingredients. She should check with her doctor or midwife.
June 14th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
[...] Sore throat? [homemade sore throat remedy] [...]
June 14th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
[...] Home Remedy [...]
June 17th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Thanks for sharing. Been sick with laryngitis and a cough for a week, keeping me awake at night. Just whipped up a batch, sure hope it helps. Will let you know.
June 17th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
The cayenne doesn’t burn a sore throat?
June 18th, 2013 at 4:16 am
Hi Susan,
My experience (and many many others) is that the combination of cayenne, ginger, and apple cider vinegar (diluted in a little water)
helps break congestion and calm coughs–the honey helps to soothe. Few have complained of painful burn.
June 19th, 2013 at 9:55 pm
[...] Throat: cough syrup, maybe freeze cough syrup to make cough [...]
June 20th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Good stuff! I woke up wicked early with an unrelenting cough, and once the store opened, went and got some apple cider vinegar to make this stuff. I’ve been working on the small batch all day, one spoonful when the cough comes back (every few hours), chased with OJ. This amount should last into tomorrow at this rate. I highly recommend it! Thank you!
June 23rd, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Gave this a try tonite for my kid and I. My other sons wedding is in 6 days – we need to kick this!! How often do we repeat the dose age?
June 24th, 2013 at 6:13 am
Hi Terri–You may repeat the dosage as needed–try it every 4 hours. Best of luck, and congratulations on your son’s marriage.
June 24th, 2013 at 9:35 pm
[...] How To Make A Cold & Flu Syrup ——————————- Did You Like This Post? Then Like Us Tweet Get free updates Speak Your Mind comments Health, How To How To Make Fresh Rosemary & Burdock Root Infused Hair & Scalp Oil Follow Us!Subscribe For Updates Enter your email address below to receive a weekly update with the best of Health & Natural Living Find Us on Facebook [...]
June 25th, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Thank you for this syrup recipe! All we have been finding include lemon in some form. It’s a good ingredient, except for the one who’s allergic to it! Enjoying your posts
June 27th, 2013 at 12:57 am
Whether you’re suffering from a wet or dry cough, get relief from the painful hacking with these fast-acting home remedies.
natural cough suppressant
June 27th, 2013 at 6:09 am
trying this right now. Have my grandboys for the summer…can not be sick. Claiming healing!
June 30th, 2013 at 7:47 am
Just wondering if you could use molasas instead of honey? My son & I are highly allergic to honey.
June 30th, 2013 at 7:51 am
Hi rebekah—yes, I think that you could safely substitute molasses and still have helpful results. Take good care, Nancy
July 3rd, 2013 at 8:59 am
didn’t read through all the posts, did the cocoa work? Going to try this with my husband. he gets pneumonia every year and pops decongestants like candy. That cannot be good for him. also, just wondering if hard cider would work the same as cider vinegar?
July 3rd, 2013 at 9:11 am
Hi bambi–
I didn’t hear back from the person who tried the cocoa. And, I can’t say that the hard cider would work the same. I know that the cider vinegar is very beneficial. Sorry that I can’t shed more light!
Nancy
July 5th, 2013 at 9:53 am
I always knew honey helped, but alone didn’t get any where. thanks so much for this, I can’t wait to make a batch!
July 6th, 2013 at 8:21 pm
I was wondering if think this would be safe to give to my dog he suffers from asthma and allergies and I’m looking for more holistic remedy than the steroid regimen that the vet has him on
July 6th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
I am sorry, Valerie, but I have no idea–no expertise in the physiology or health of dogs. You would need to get an opinion from a vet. perhaps there are more holistic practicing ones.
July 10th, 2013 at 8:04 am
My husband made this for me and I was doubtful at first. It worked for me. I got a good nights sleep and made it through the night without any coughing spells from a cold I have had. I would recommend and would use this again. We have a small batch made up. Thank you again.
July 10th, 2013 at 8:15 am
HI Cathy–I’m so glad that the remedy gave you some relief and some real rest. Thanks for sharing. Nancy
July 10th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
What also works is mix one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of cinnamon. It takes like hell, but it totally works. I tried that a few months ago and my cold went away asap. I was even able to sleep (usually, I just hack all night when I have a cold.)
July 12th, 2013 at 9:48 pm
I have been taking oil of oregano capsules one per day and I have stayed well for almost two years now. I used to get the flu at least twice a year. You can buy it in health food stores. GNC has it also.
I take. 1 Zyrtec per day also. I will definately try the remedy but I hope I don’t need it ever.
July 15th, 2013 at 11:15 am
[...] מתכון תרופה לכאב גרון (אנגלית)http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ מתכון לתרופה לשיעול [...]
August 7th, 2013 at 3:05 am
Very good article! We are linking to this great post on our site. Keep up the great writing.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Can this be made ahead of time and sit on a shelf or does it need refrigerated?
August 9th, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Hi jerica,
You may make this up ahead of time and keep it in a clean lidded jar stored in a cool dark place. It won’t hurt it to refrigerate it either. Take good care,
Nancy
August 14th, 2013 at 10:23 am
We have used a similar recipe passed down from my grandmother Pilgrim. She was born in 1906 and I was 12 when she passed away.
Daffodil’s grow wild on the sides of our roads. Beautiful flowers and I never realized that we are so lucky to have them until I read some of the comments about them.
Thanks for posting! Keep up the good work.
August 14th, 2013 at 11:21 am
Hi Bella in MS
Thanks for sharing about your family’s similar recipe from grandmother Pilgrim. There is a vast amount of interesting history and family lore behind home remedies, and I always enjoy learning about that. Take good care, Nancy
August 14th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
i love this recipe i add a small nip of ginger brandy to break a fever i use ginger ale instead of water
August 19th, 2013 at 1:34 am
[...] Homemade Remedy for Hacking Coughs Recipe Related PostsThe Natural Ways to Make Your Headache Go AwayEffective Home Remedies to Treat Sinus InfectionHow To Make Your Own Cut Healing Antibiotic OintmentHow to Make Fresh Strawberry Peach JamUses for Lime Essential Oil Filed Under: Natural Remedies Subscribe for Updates Enter your name & email address into the form below and click "Subscribe" to stay up to date with new posts and take part in our fun, competitions and giveaways. [...]
August 20th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
I took a dose of ACV tonic every day last winter, and never got sick. Even with the flu and colds going around in my house, I never got sick. Plan to do it again this winter with your added ingredients. Cayenne is supposed to be good for the stomach too!
Thanks for sharing!
August 22nd, 2013 at 6:58 am
Hi Nancy, What are the measurements or proportions for each ingredient ? I can’t seem to find it in any of the comments. Thanks.
August 22nd, 2013 at 7:02 am
Just scroll down to the bottom of the original post for the recipe:
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 Tablespoon cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon honey
2 Tablespoon water
you can easily double/triple/quadruple the batch.
Take good care,
Nancy
August 26th, 2013 at 4:02 am
[...] this appealed to me as I am also a chronic user of sinus drugs. The pin took me to a blog called Good Food Matters where the authors credits the recipe to someone named Maggie (there was no further citation). The [...]
August 28th, 2013 at 11:03 am
I have just made this for myself and my daughter to ward off the cold/cough/sinus yuckies that we can both feel the onset of. I could not stomach the original recipe…so I added 2 extra TBS of honey (from a local source) …this has such a kick! ..I would classify this as a “cure what ails you” remedy.. :) …I am hopeful about how it will perform…thanks!
September 3rd, 2013 at 6:54 am
[...] Recently my husband complained about a sore throat and a cough, and it was a coincidence that I found this recipe for homemade cough medicine on Pinterest by Nancy. [...]
September 7th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
[...] via Good Food Matters Cold Remedy [...]
September 9th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
My 6 year old daughter has been coughing for 2 days straight. She’s got allergies so I thought that was it, but figured I’d try this out. She’s still coughing with the exact recipe as written. Didn’t work for us…
September 9th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
So sorry it didn’t help your daughter. The vast percentage of those trying it have had success–but, like most things in life, this remedy doesn’t work for everybody.
Take good care, Nancy
September 16th, 2013 at 9:06 am
Found this on Pinterest & I’m thinking of using fresh squeezed orange juice instead of the water. Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
September 26th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
…perfect!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!
September 30th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
[...] We all know the symptoms of a common cold – sore throat, hacking cough, headache.. And you’ll agree this common cold affects on your mood and can ruin your holidays. Families spend too much money in different medicines and doctor visits, but still there is no scientific cure for a common cold. Mostly families with little children suffer because of the flue, as children don’t like the taste of medicines and refuse taking pills. There are many natural ways to treat the cold and these natural remedies are as effective as the medicines that you buy every time you get cold. This time I want to share you the home remedy that is very simple to prepare, as we can find the necessary ingredients in every kitchen. You only need: Apple Cider Vinegar Honey Ginger and Cayenne… As you know all these ingredients are safe and you can give it to your little children. Now check the recipe of Common Cold Home Remedy [...]
September 30th, 2013 at 10:28 pm
I tried this about three months ago… worked great! Need to make some tomorrow for my very scratchy throat and cough. Not making it tonight because I have a blood test tomorrow for diabetes and dont want to mess that up.
Read also these are some of the same ingredients used for arthritis and fibro…. thinking about taking a Tbs DAILY just for that and see what happens!
Thanks for the recipe.
October 2nd, 2013 at 10:30 am
I woke up this morning with a scratchy throat, coughing and sneezing and general achy feeling all over. I mixed up this remedy and took my first dose of it, and I felt relief almost instantly! Within 2 minutes, my nose quit running, and my throat stopped feeling so bad. I can breathe clearly, and I can swallow with no troubles whatsoever. THANK YOU so much for this wonderful remedy. It is definitely going to be a keeper for this family.
October 10th, 2013 at 2:53 am
[...] I tried this recipe from Good Food Matters blog for Homemade Cough Remedy, I found that it doesn’t have quite the same effect as my Sore Throat Elixir, but I certainly [...]
October 11th, 2013 at 7:42 am
[...] Cough and Cold Home Remedy Recipe [...]
October 18th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
dELICIOUS!!!! Seriously yummy! I made the recipe times 6 and put it all in an empty Really Raw Honey jar. Perfection! I will keep it on the counter for a couple days and then move it to the fridge since I made so much. Who knows though…it’s so good it might even be gone in a few days ;)!! Oh, and I liked Lisa’s idea for it’s “a great dressing for julienned veggies too.” Might try cooking with it. Has anyone else tried that?
October 20th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Thank you, thank you for posting this. My family of four has had this horrible cough for two weeks now. We have tried OTC cough med, humidifiers and vicks. I made a triple batch of this and everyone slept through the night with very little coughing. Definitely recommend this remedy
October 20th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
[...] MAGGIE’S COUGH REMEDY: http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ [...]
October 30th, 2013 at 11:40 am
[...] I lost my voice for two weeks. It was during this particularly nasty illness that I came upon this homemade cough remedy. Let me tell you, it works! What is in it, you ask? Cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, honey and [...]
October 30th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
I was excited about this recipe, but my son (who is the one with the cough) is wickedly allergic to cayenne. Too bad. :(
October 30th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
Holly, some people have substituted cinnamon for the cayenne and had good results.
November 7th, 2013 at 5:01 am
[...] This recipe is all over the internet, some with added garlic and cinnamon, some not. My original source is called Maggie’s Cough Syrup and it is found at this website called: Good Food Matters. [...]
November 7th, 2013 at 11:56 am
I found this on pinterest and have been using it for a year! For myself, my kids(10 and 11) and any friend or family memeber who gets sick..I add cinnamon and a little more honey, cuz…why not? Thank you so much for sharing this.
November 10th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
[...] made this home remedy for cough and congestion that I’ve been taking all week since I’ve been having some [...]
November 11th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Thanks, Nancy! This worked…however, after swallowing a couple of times, it seemed to wear off. How often do you take it and how much at one time?
November 16th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Going to make a batch as soon as. I am down thanking you for posting. Into week 2 of respiratory illness , cough lingers on. Thank you.
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:54 pm
Just wanted to say that this is a great recipe. I also wanted to point out that honey actually should not be given to children under 2. I don’t know that a 2 year old would drink it but just wanted to put that out there.
November 23rd, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Will try this with the next cold!
November 25th, 2013 at 8:09 am
[...] How about a hot mug of Sriracha, ginger and lemon goodness? For something a little sweeter, try vinegar, honey, ginger and cayenne [...]
November 27th, 2013 at 7:50 am
I just tried this — because the universe decided to give me a sore throat and congestion right before thanksgiving (ugh!). My throat feels great! My nose is still stuffy but I’ll keep trying to see if another tablespoon helps. FYI to folks who are sensitive to spicy like me… This is super spicy!! Beware!
November 28th, 2013 at 10:41 pm
I have to admit it, I am really skeptical about homemade recipes. This one works! I suffer from idiopathic hives (I am allergic to hell knows what, or I brake out for god knows why for reasons unknown) and it relives it better then anything else I have known yet. Thanks!
December 10th, 2013 at 11:20 am
This stuff tastes awful, but it works! I’ve taken it before bedtime after feeling congested all day, and I feel better the next day. I gave some to my boyfriend when he had a cold, and the next day he was fine–no congestion, no runny nose!
December 11th, 2013 at 11:11 am
I make this all the time but I add a fresh clove of chopped garlic. When I’m in desperate need of a cold/cough killer.
December 15th, 2013 at 10:20 am
I have had a cough for months Dr. Has not been able to find anything to help I just made this and took some…. I will update on results here’s to hoping I have finally found a cure :)
December 16th, 2013 at 12:36 am
it is fantastic
December 19th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
[...] COUGH REMEDY ¼ teaspoon Cayenne ¼ teaspoon Ginger 1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.) 2 Tablespoon Water 1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.) Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee. Note: This is potent albeit watery syrup. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using. If you make this in small batches as the recipe is written, there is no need to refrigerate. If you prefer, you may refrigerate this. It keeps as long as you need it. I like to make small batches (it is so easy to mix up.) and use it up in a just a few days. IMPORTANT MESSAGE: This remedy and dosage are for adults. I have no personal experience giving this to children, and cannot recommend it for children. Many have reported on this site (see comments) that they have had great success administering the remedy in smaller doses to their kids. This is those parents personal choice, which I respect. If the remedy has helped their family, I am grateful. But it is not my recommendation. [...]
December 19th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
[...] MAGGIE’S COUGH REMEDY ¼ teaspoon Cayenne ¼ teaspoon Ginger 1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.) 2 Tablespoon Water 1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.) [...]
December 21st, 2013 at 10:41 pm
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!! My husband of 59 years suffers from COPD & Emphysema. He has to smoke a Nebulizer (?) with medication, 3 times a day, & oxygen at night. But the hacking cough that racks his whole body was the worse. I made your formula, exactly as described. He took it @ 11:30 & didn’t need another dose until 7:30 that evening. He is so grateful, this is his 3rd batch & he takes it w/o a fuss. He’s able to sleep through the night, which was a rare occurrence before. Thank you for posting, & may God bless you,
December 28th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Its an instant relief!!! Oh my gosh I couldnt believe it but oh my gosh worked for me!!
December 29th, 2013 at 9:44 pm
I’m really not a poster. However, I have used this several times since the beginning of the year. I’ve used it and it stopped my cough, which cough syrup with codeine could not do. I felt better, slept better and I noticed it slimmed the waist line nice benefit :) I have directed others to this recipe as well and they loved it. I must admit the strong flavor isn’t so great but it works wonders!!!!!
December 31st, 2013 at 12:03 pm
OMG!! My throat is on fire!!! Anything I have EVER mixed with ACV has been terrible! But it works. I mean, cough syrup doesn’t work & it tastes awful too. Might as well use something that DOES work! I have been heavily inhaling Eucalyptus oil and using nose strips at night to breath….but I am still hacking and snotty, with post-nasal drip. This is a seasonal issue, every winter. So, I JUST took my tablespoon remedy…we shall see. At least my throat isn’t burning any more. Is it OK to guzzle down some water right after? I had to hold it in my mouth for a few seconds to cool off!! ;)
December 31st, 2013 at 5:03 pm
This was great as a decongestant… but it caused me to have horrible laryngitis. Very harsh on the vocal cords. I am not sure which was worse the cold or the cure. Smelling it seemed to do as much to relieve the stuffiness and I stayed open.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:13 am
This recipe is AWESOME! I have had a cold/cough for over 2 weeks and it was headed into a respiratory infection. Our Dr offices are overflowing with patients and I do not have time to sit for 3-4 hours waiting and exposing myself to other germs. I discovered your recipe and tried it…within 10 minutes I could feel and hear my ears pop open. Within 30 minutes, my coughing and congestion was reduced. I’ve been taking it 3 days now (About every 4 hours during the day time – or when the cough came back) and I feel better than I have in 2 weeks. The cough/congestion is almost gone….the extreme fatigue that accompanies my respiratory infections is gone..etc. My husband started feeling sick…and he took it twice and the sore throat and congestion stopped. I am a teacher and think I will take a spoonful daily during the winter and flu season! I am definitely sharing this recipe!
January 3rd, 2014 at 6:58 am
I use the same recipe every day and and a 1/4 teaspoon of tumeric to the mixture. This remedy daily increases your immune system. Tablespoon of natural honey and cinnamon aids as well morning and evening.
January 3rd, 2014 at 7:02 am
Great tip! Thank you, Howard.
January 4th, 2014 at 3:45 pm
My son was coughing so badly dec 23 and Christmas Eve. I remembered that I pinned this and oh my goodness it was like a Christmas miracle!! He stopped coughing and we had a great Christmas. This is great
January 7th, 2014 at 2:28 pm
[...] Homemade Cough Remedy recipe adapted from Good Food Matters [...]
January 7th, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Cool tips – will give it a try.
January 16th, 2014 at 7:56 pm
I just made some for my husband and had him take it at 6:45pm. Within 5 minutes he could feel it working. Within 20 minutes he came back by me, almost breathing freely. He had come home from work early, because his head was so congested. Thanks!
January 18th, 2014 at 8:36 am
I have chronic sinusitis and asthma (high risk for flu, etc.). I live in Florida and the weather has been alternating hot/warm days (above 78 degrees) and cold (below 50 degrees) for the past couple of months. These conditions aggravate my asthma. About 2/3rds of the people in my office (175 people) had an upper respiratory infection that knocked them out for a week or two. I always have a cough generated from asthma. Twice (in 2 months) I have developed a sore throat during a work day and felt lethargic by the end of the day. When I arrived home I took a tablespoon of this recipe and the sore throat went away within hours and I stopped coughing. I think it is absolutely AMAZING! I have not tried using it on a regular basis. I don’t want to lose the magic.
January 18th, 2014 at 8:40 am
Question: Would it change the effectiveness if more honey is used? I would like to make it a little thicker, but hate to mess with a recipe that works. Have you tried it with more honey?
January 18th, 2014 at 9:15 am
Hi Penny, I have never tried it with more honey. I wouldn’t increase the amount of honey by much, as it serves more as a vehicle for making the other ingredients-ginger, cider vinegar and cayenne more palatable. You don’t want to dilute the power of those! I am glad that the remedy brought you relief. For a huge percentage of people, (like 90%, based on comments placed on this site) it really helps. Take good care, Nancy
January 18th, 2014 at 4:53 pm
[...] my cleanse I found this home remedy for sore throats, coughs, and congestion; I had all the ingredients so I whipped it up since I have [...]
January 27th, 2014 at 1:56 am
Nancy,
I rarely comment on posts but felt compelled on this one! I used this remedy in high school some 10 years ago to keep my voice amidst choir concerts and basketball games – it was percribed by a homeopathic chiropractor and always did the trick! He made the mixture more potent by adding vodka for its anticeptic properties, but I could never get the mixture quite right making it myself – yours is perfect! Thank you so much, my search is over!
January 27th, 2014 at 5:50 am
Hi Annaleah, I am so happy that you have “re-found” the remedy. Thanks for letting me know your story. Take good care, Nancy
January 30th, 2014 at 7:37 pm
[...] Home Remedy, Good Food Matters – [...]
January 31st, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Can you use paprika in place of cayenne?
January 31st, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Hi Amanda,
You can, but I cannot say that it will give you the same results. If you cannot tolerate the cayenne, try it with paprika. Some people have also substituted cinnamon with success.
Take good care,
Nancy
February 6th, 2014 at 9:24 am
[...] Cough Remedy. Of course it is another one of my Pinterest finds and is originally posted on Good Food Matters Blog. I have been terribly sick for what seems like forever. Crazy cold/sinus/cough general bad [...]
February 6th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
[...] albeit watery syrup. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using. Source: http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/ Share this:TwitterFacebookGooglePinterestPrintEmailStumbleUponTumblrLike this:Like [...]
February 15th, 2014 at 1:04 am
lovely photos and good recipe but ‘course you can always have a delicious tea with all this ingredients but i guess this recipe is just if you’re in “making my own syrup” mood. nice post anyway.
February 21st, 2014 at 5:42 am
very interesting article. good work
chamomile tea is natural tea
February 28th, 2014 at 11:06 am
[...] Homemade Cold and Flu Stopper: It tastes…well…awful, but it’s extremely effective if taken as soon as you feel that tickle in the back of your throat. I know several people who swear by it, including myself. [...]
March 6th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I make this all the time and it works for more then just colds. A neighbor of mine had strep throat went to the docs got antibiotics took all her meds and was still sick so I whipped up a batch of this but I make enough to last a good little minute so I add 12 tablespoons of water, 6 tablespoons of raw honey, 6 tablespoons of Braggs apple cider vinegar with the mother in it, 6 tablespoons of lemon juice any brand but a fresh one would be best, 1 1/4 teaspoons of cayenne pepper powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons of ginger powder and take two tablespoons as often as needed. She was feeling better within an hour.
March 7th, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Thankyou for this grand post, I am glad I detected this website on yahoo.
April 1st, 2014 at 12:41 pm
I’m not a cayenne lover at all but I tell you – one tbsp of this (I try and get it to the back of my throat so its not so hot) and you are cured – worth the bad taste. Wish I had found this years ago. Cleared up my hubbies sinus infection too that he suffered with all winter.
April 6th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Very excited to try this recipe, have been in the hospital twice with bronchitis, & twice to doctor, so if this kicks this I will be forever gratefull…..Sincereley, jamie in Texas with allergies always!
April 9th, 2014 at 9:37 am
I swear by this and give it to my kids (much milder then the original recipe) when they get sick. 3 tablespoons of this and they and I am cured.
Thank you for posting!
April 9th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
I swear by this stuff and am (in)famous for it at my office. I would take this long before Mucinex or any other over the counter stuff that makes me feel worse than the sickness I’m trying to overcome.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:46 am
Thanks for sharing, Mary!
April 12th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
My friend gave me this recipe & it works every time for whatever bug I seem to catch. Friends who are also sick can’t believe how quickly it works! Thanks so much.
April 13th, 2014 at 8:40 am
How should this be stored and how long will it last?
April 13th, 2014 at 9:50 am
Jennifer, Made as indicated, it will last indefinitely, stored in a cool dry place in a clean lidded jar. There is nothing in it to spoil.
May 3rd, 2014 at 2:25 am
I use a very similar recipe, just finished some actually – But I make it by putting ACV, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne and local raw honey – then I boil water and pour it in a large glass and drink it up like a tea. I think it tastes wonderful actually and it really does help. I have had 32 oz of it today. I use 1-2 Tbsp of ACV, 1/4 -1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne, 1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 to 1.5 Tbsp honey in each 16 oz cup of “tea”. After reading many of the posts above, I will try adding some cocoa to it next time (tomorrow) and see how that is too! I have been using this remedy for well over 25 years and it always helps me feel better.
May 24th, 2014 at 5:32 am
Been battling a cold/horrendous cough for about a week, remembered seeing this so made up a batch and took my first spoonful about 10 minutes ago, Hoo-wee alright! Can feel it working already though, my chest is so much more relaxed, breathing much easier and haven’t had even the tickle of a cough yet!!!!
Thank you so much :)
May 27th, 2014 at 11:42 am
I got a cold right now and I made a different brand of cough syrup but it isn’t working. So going to make this today for the kids and I. ( if they take it which I think they will ) Thanks for this. I think I posted here a year ago , it did work for me . I just found this again. Thanks for posting this. Love your blog.